The Delhi High Court on Monday voiced serious concern over the central government's proposed takeover of prominent properties in Lutyens' Delhi, including the Delhi Gymkhana Club (DGC) and the Jaipur Polo Ground. The court warned that such a move could adversely affect the capital's urban landscape and place additional strain on its infrastructure.
Court's Strong Remarks
Observing that further construction in the area could choke the city, a vacation bench of Justice Neena Bansal Krishna remarked, "Delhi will choke. God save us all if this is how you want Delhi to live." The court added, "The little breather we have in the NDMC area is also going to go and all of us are going to suffocate and die." It noted that the remaining green spaces in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area were being taken over, which would exacerbate the situation.
Background of the Case
The observations came during a hearing on a plea filed by the Indian Polo Association seeking a stay on a government notice directing it to vacate the 15.2-acre Jaipur Polo Ground located in the Race Course area. The Centre's standing counsel, Ashish Dixit, argued that the land occupied by the polo ground, along with nearby establishments like DGC, was being taken over for public purposes due to limited space in central Delhi for government functions.
Court's Direction
Disposing of the plea, the High Court directed the Patiala House court to hear the association's stay application on Wednesday. The Indian Polo Association has challenged the Estate Officer's May 20 eviction order and sought an interim stay under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.
Association's Plea
The association's plea stated that although coercive eviction was imminent on June 4, neither the appeal nor the urgent stay application was considered by the district judge on June 3. Instead, notice was issued and the matter was adjourned to July 23, leaving the association in a precarious position.
