The Centre on Thursday told the Delhi high court that it would not take any coercive action against the Delhi Gymkhana Club till September 16 in connection with the proposed eviction from its 27.3-acre premises on Safdarjung Road.The assurance was given before Justice Avneesh Jhingan, who was hearing pleas by club member Vijay Khurana and others seeking a stay on the June 29 show-cause notice issued by the land and development office (L&DO).“We will not take any action in a coercive manner. The (earlier) statement continues. We will not take any coercive action (till the next date),” news agency PTI quoted additional solicitor general Chetan Sharma saying.
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The court deferred arguments on the plea for interim relief and asked the club members to file their response before the estate officer.Justice Jhingan said, “Let the authority apply its mind to the fact that once this issue of jurisdiction itself is pending, should he proceed with the notice or not.” The matter has been listed for September 16.The L&DO had terminated the club’s perpetual lease on May 22 and sought return of the land, citing the need for “strengthening and securing defence infrastructure”. The June 29 notice asked the club to explain why an eviction order should not be passed under the Public Premises Act. The Centre has maintained that members cannot restrain authorities from exercising their rights under the terminated lease.
