The Supreme Court on Monday (August 24, 2026) questioned the Delhi Race Club about a month-long delay in challenging a Delhi High Court decision that cleared the way for eviction proceedings from an 84-acre premises on Lok Kalyan Marg. The High Court's May 27 order allowed eviction proceedings to continue under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 before the Estate Officer, Land and Development Office, Urban Affairs Ministry. The club filed its special leave petition against the High Court order on August 13.

"After the Division Bench order of the High Court on May 27, which you say you knew was not correct, why did you not rush to this court?" Justice N.K. Singh, part of the Bench headed by Justice S.C. Sharma, asked senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for the club.

Mr. Divan said the High Court order was "completely unwarranted". He said discussions were on between the club and the Land and Development Office (L&DO) to amicably resolve the issue with an alternative allocation of land and an orderly relocation within a reasonable period. A 10-year exemption from payment of dues and taxes was also under discussion. The proceedings under the Public Premises Act had been adjourned during talks that spanned several meetings, the senior counsel explained. He said the Estate Officer was fully aware of the talks but "suddenly passed the eviction order without giving the club a reasonable opportunity to be heard".

The Estate Officer passed the formal eviction order on August 11, giving the club 15 days to vacate the Lok Kalyan Marg premises. The court scheduled the case for a detailed hearing on August 25 and asked the club to serve copies to the authorities concerned.

The Dispute Over the 84-Acre Plot

The dispute concerns the club's occupation of an 84-acre plot on Lok Kalyan Marg. The Centre had argued that the lease granted to the club in 1926 expired on December 31, 1994, and had not been renewed. According to the Centre, the club has continued to occupy the premises without authorisation since the expiry of the lease. In March, the Centre issued a notice seeking peaceful possession of the land, stating that it was required for a "public purpose".

On April 17, proceedings were initiated under the 1971 Act and a show-cause notice was issued. The club challenged the notice before a Single-Judge Bench of the High Court, which directed authorities not to proceed further until July 30. The Centre appealed to a Division Bench, which allowed the appeal, allowing the Centre's appeal.

Court's August 25 Order

On Tuesday (August 25, 2026), the Supreme Court refused to intervene in the Delhi Race Club's challenge against eviction. A Bench headed by Justice Satish Chandra Sharma allowed the club to approach the jurisdictional District Judge, the appellate authority, for relief. The court directed the club to approach the District Judge after learning that an appeal, along with an application for interim relief, was already pending there.

The formal eviction order by the Estate Officer, Land and Development Office, Urban Affairs Ministry, was passed on August 11 under the provisions of the Public Premises Act, 1971. That order followed the High Court's May 27 decision to lift a stay on proceedings under the 1971 Act. A Single Judge of the High Court had earlier granted a stay in favour of the club.