New Delhi, June 13 (IANS) Moving swiftly, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on Saturday put up a public notice at the Jaipur Polo Ground, near the Delhi Race Club, declaring the over 15-acre land parcel as government land.

The MoHUA notice, which came a day after a favourable judicial decision, comes with a warning against unauthorised occupation.

The re-possession of the Polo Ground development comes amid an ongoing dispute between the Union government and the Indian Polo Association (IPA), which manages the Ground, over possession of the land in the heart of the Capital.

On Friday, Patiala House Court’s Vacation Judge Dhirendra Rana said that he was not inclined to stay the execution of the eviction order issued to Jaipur Polo Ground by the government on May 20.

“As far as staying of execution of impugned order till next date of hearing is concerned, I am not inclined to accept this request. Similar kind of request was moved before Principal District & Sessions Judge, PHC and Delhi High Court and no relief was granted to the appellant. Therefore, keeping in view the judicial discipline and proprietary, I am not inclined to stay the execution of impugned order even till next date,” the court said.

Referring to the proceedings before the Delhi High Court, the court observed that the High Court had disposed of the IPA’s writ petition on June 8 and had not granted any ad-interim protection against eviction.

The Central government has sought to take possession of the Jaipur Polo Ground to organise important governmental and defence-related functions in the area.

In a similar case of repossession of leased land in the high-security area close to the official residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the MoHUA last month issued a notice through the Land and Development Office (L&DO) to the Delhi Gymkhana Club.

The notice stated that the 27.3-acre property at 2, Safdarjung Road was “critically required for the strengthening and securing of Defence infrastructure and other vital public security purposes”.

The communication invoked Clause 4 of the perpetual lease deed, under which the lessor reserves the right to re-enter the premises if required for a public purpose.

Established in 1913 during the colonial era, the Delhi Gymkhana Club is regarded as one of the country’s oldest and most exclusive social institutions and has long served as a hub for senior bureaucrats, diplomats, military officials and influential citizens.

Later, the Delhi High Court refused to grant interim relief to the Club against the Union government’s move to reclaim possession of the premises in Lutyens’ Delhi.

While issuing summons in suits filed by club members and employees, a single-judge Bench of Justice Avneesh Jhingan declined to stay the Centre’s communication.

The Court was assured by Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta that no forcible eviction would take place and that any action would be taken strictly in accordance with law and after prior notice.

–IANS

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