Delhi High Court judge Justice Prateek Jalan recused himself from a lawsuit over the Centre’s eviction proceedings against Delhi Gymkhana Club. He directed the case to be heard by another bench on Friday.
The suit was filed by the Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd Staff Welfare Association and supported by more than 500 members. It challenges the Land and Development Office’s May 22 order that terminated the club’s perpetual lease deed and demands the return of the 27.3‑acre premises on Safdarjung Road.
The staff, including cooks, waiters, gardeners, electricians and security personnel, argue that the eviction notice is an attempt to force them out of their workplace and violates their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution. They claim the defence‑infrastructure rationale is vague and a sham.
The Centre says it will not take coercive action at present and that the lawsuits should be dismissed. It maintains that third parties cannot restrain enforcement of the lease rights that have been determined. The case will now be heard by a different bench on Friday.
