Delhi Court Upholds Government’s Eviction Order Against Historic Race Club
On Tuesday, a Delhi court denied a request from the Delhi Race Club to halt the government-mandated eviction of its premises in Lutyens’ Delhi. The order, initially issued on August 11, requires the century-old horse-racing club, situated on Central Golf Link Road near the Prime Minister’s residence, to vacate within 15 days.
Principal District & Sessions Judge Pitamber Dutt of the Patiala House Courts dismissed the club’s application for an interim stay on the eviction order. The order was originally executed by the Estate Officer under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act of 1971.
“In light of the circumstances and facts presented, I conclude that the appellant has not established a prima facie case for staying the impugned order dated 11.08.2026 issued by the Learned Estate Officer in case No. ESO/11/3(1)/2026 titled as Union of India Vs. Delhi Race Club,” Judge Dutt stated. “Accordingly, the application for interim stay is dismissed.”
Representing the Delhi Race Club, Senior Advocate Suhail Dutt argued that the Estate Officer’s eviction order violated principles of natural justice. He claimed the club never received a copy of the complaint, despite multiple requests. Additionally, he contended that the matter was barred by res judicata, a legal principle indicating that the issue has already been judged, as a similar show cause notice from 1999 had previously been nullified by the Delhi High Court.
Dutt further argued that continued rent payments and a lease-extension deposit made in 2013 should be considered as an extension of the lease.
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Central Government Standing Counsel Ashish K Dixit, representing the government, asserted that no lease had been renewed beyond 1994. He clarified that since then, the club’s occupancy was on a month-to-month basis. He further stated that the Estate Officer had indeed provided a copy of the complaint and allowed multiple opportunities for the club to respond, which were not utilized.
Upon reviewing the records and arguments, the court found that an order dated April 27, 2026, confirmed the complaint had been provided to the club, and their own representative had signed the order sheet without raising objections. The court also dismissed the res judicata argument, clarifying that the earlier notice did not involve lease termination or re-entry clauses.
Judge Pitamber Dutt noted that mere rent payment post-lease expiration does not constitute lease renewal. Ultimately, the court ruled that the Delhi Race Club had not demonstrated a prima facie case, leading to the dismissal of their stay application.
