Delhi Gymkhana Club Faces Eviction Amidst Legal Battle, Security Claims | Plain Speak | News18

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:01]Welcome everyone. Thanks a lot for staying with us. You're watching Plain Speak with me Shivani Gupta. Of all the fights the Modi governments have taken on over the last 11 years, nothing typifies the new order versus the old guard like the Jim Kana battle that has now broken out. Right in the heart of the Latian zone, stones throw away from the prime minister's residence. The colonial era vestig of the powerful and privileged is under threat. So no surprises. This has become more than just a legal fight. India's elite Jim Khana club is facing one of the most serious crisis in its 113year history following this order to vacate its iconic promises. Remember the land and development office under the ministry of housing and urban affairs has directed the club to hand over this 27.3 acre property on Sabajjang road by June 5 citing national security and the need to strengthen defense infrastructure. The development has triggered widespread unrest amongst members with emergency meetings held over the weekend and a decision taken to challenge the government's order in court. Senior legal council has been engaged and the petition we are told is expected to come up for hearing tomorrow. CNN News 18 has in fact accessed the plea filed by the club which holds no punches in taking on the government order as also its intent.

[00:01:25]So what does it say? It gives various grounds on which it is challenging the government order and it says that there are vague and generalized reasons of defense infrastructure, public security purposes and governance infrastructure given for the takeover with no particulars and material provided amounting to nothing more than a sham.

[00:01:46]It goes on to say no compensation in respect of the loss of the property, the premium paid or the buildings and infrastructure standing on the promises.

[00:01:55]It adds flagrant violation of article 300A of the constitution. Rights cannot be extinguished in an arbitrary manner without an acquisition process. In fact, it even calls the government actions malicious and colorable exercise being the last in a series of acts by a governor to gain control over the institution including a recent attempt to take over the management of the institution. And it says that this amounts to an attempt to affect force eviction through executive force, administrative fiat and threat exercise of police power instead of following the due process of law. In fact, CNN News8 has also accessed a 2022 police complaint against the club on the use of a drone in high security area which is of course this zone against warning and also carrying out a supposed tiranga yatra ahead of independence day in 2022 despite BVIP movement in the area. Now this is just one of the kind of complaints that this club has faced in recent times along with those on the club fund management for example and is functioning as well. So what are the rules applicable to the club on the club and can the government even order for its eviction? Let's take you through that. The government has invoked clause four of the lease deed. Now this gives the government power to take back this land because this clause basically allows the ministry concerned the lesser concerned to re-enter and terminate the lease if there are conditions of course the condition is if the property is required for a public purpose. Now in the past argument has also been made that in such cases the market value of the land becomes irrelevant and uh this there is only an uh except for compensation which depends on the premium paid on in the past and cost of the buildings others built on this land.

[00:03:58]The government may need to compensate a little bit here and there. Now the club is also governed by the company's act and is registered as a nonprofit.

[00:04:08]Therefore, its activities are subject to conditions and regulations that come under the company's act and matters related to the club have been under scanner in the past as well. Like I mentioned, there have been cases against activities going on. There are cases against its management. Who is governing the body? How is that decided? that and much much more. So the big question we ask today is this is this strike on the Delhi Jim Khana basically a strike on elitism and privilege and given what the government is taking on now will this be an easy fight as it's also again in court that's coming up with our guests.

[00:05:27]I'm confused. for let's go across to our guest joining us Datraigam political analyst is Sanjay Ja joining us. Tushar Gupta, senior journalist and Nija Chudri, senior journalist also with us. But Sanjay, I begin with you. The government is the lesser of this land. Uh it has the clause that it has in its favor. If the law is in its favor, does intent matter as the club seems to be questioning, political opponents of the government seem to be questioning that this is more about intent. Is it?

[00:06:21]>> Uh hi, good evening to you Shivani and to all my eminent panelists on the program. Uh uh let me make be very honest with you. I think the government suffers from a deep inferiority complex.

[00:06:35]Um it sees anyone who's a member of a private club especially if it has got some British antecedants or a colonial kind of a makeup >> it sees them as being part of the Englishspeaking uh more of the uh what I call is you know what the BJP calls as the lip tards and the secular uh crowd it's seriously is a pathological obsession of the s parad to Treat anybody who speaks English or who is well educated or has an intellectual pretention or are just people who love to you know hang out and network or whatever. It sees them with a deep element of suspicion because I'll tell you what makes me laugh. This is a property that has been there for over 100 years. And although I don't live in Delhi, I live in Mumbai. I'm a member of clubs here. I'll make a very honest disclosure. I have no problem in saying that. And I can't imagine that a club which is very famous by the way has got 20 30 acres of land and they have been told to vacate it with a two weeks notice.

[00:07:44]>> But this has been going on for a while.

[00:07:46]It's not like it has happened you know out of the blue in two weeks.

[00:07:49]>> No no but then one minute they have been told to hand it over in two weeks right.

[00:07:53]I mean no matter what the impass may have been in two weeks they have to surrender everything and the employees.

[00:07:59]Is the problem the two week notice or is the problem that they've been asked to?

[00:08:02]>> No, it's not. It's not. I I'll tell you where the problem lies. The problem lies in the fact that end of day, have they even suggested that will there be an alternative uh compensation made or land given for a fresh club? Who will fund it? What will be the cost? Will the government subsidize it? Because these are fundamental rights. Let let me tell you this government cannot tell the people of India uh that you know we want to be a 4 trillion economy and then tell people by the way majority of the people who are there are bureaucrats and members of the armed services. I got a message from a friend of mine who lives in Delhi who said that actually one of her aunts is a member and she's a widow and she spends a whole day at the club and these are people who have been part of India's defense services. Sanjay I started off by asking you the law is in favor of the government's action the law the the land belongs to the government the government has been asking for this land back there is a clause that they can invoke of the lease deed so you know we can keep going around in circles on whether it is right or wrong the simple question is whether the government can do this on paper nobody seems to be suggesting otherwise in fact you talked about the value or you know whether they need to be compensated I just read out at the part of my show. In the past in court cases pertaining to Delhi Jim Khana club, it has been argued that the market value is irrelevant. All that the government may need to compensate is cost of the buildings built on the land subsequently or the premium that was paid for the land originally. They don't need to possibly as part of this lease deed even provide a compensatory uh land for the club to shift. That may be the reality. But Shivani my short answer to that is uh frankly the government owns the country. If the government wants tomorrow to bring down Mr. Moesh Amani's house on Pedro road in Mumbai for national security it can do that. Nobody can stop it. Right? So here is the truth. Here is the truth. If the government wants any property it can find a reason to acquire it. And if you say national security defense is next to the prime minister's residence they can do what they like. The question is is it fair? Is it fair? On that note, I want to go I want to go to Tashar Gupta.

[00:10:22]First up, Sanjay seems to be making an argument, you know, all land is government land and even if it was private land in the future, government can come up with clauses or lands laws which say that, you know, even a private citizen has to give up that land. That aside, is this action motivated by the dismantling of a so-called Latian elite with a colonial hangover? If so, why not the government come out and say so?

[00:10:47]It's the government's land. It's that simple. The club might be exclusive. The club might be a century old. The club might be used by the who's and who's for networking. But even then, the members of the club do not own the land on which this club is built. I don't know why it's being so complicated. They are telling us that oh this is some sort of infoty complex. This is some pathological concern you have against the elites of Delhi. This has nothing to do with all that. If the rich of Delhi want to have a private members club, they're entitled to do that. I think the focus shouldn't be on how the club is operating. The focus should be on where the club is operating. For more than 100 years, the club did not get a transfer of the land, a freehold agreement through the government. So clearly they were always on the lease. The people paying 30 lakh rupees or paying waiting for 30 years. They always knew that the club they were waiting for was on a land where the government was the eventual owner. So today when the government is saying we want our land back, I don't know why there's so much of fuss around it. It's a simple landlord tenant relationship. The members of the club are the tenants. The stakeholders of the club are the tenants. The government is the landlord. Now the tenants want an alternate allocation of land. This is how slum dwellers talk honestly. Shivani at this point the kind of arguments being given by the stakeholders of the club and the you know some certain slum dwellers who are evicted from the illegally occupied land. They're no different. They say we need an alternative plot of land. They are saying we need an alternative accommodation. In which universe is the government of India obligated to either explain the members of the club why it needs it back for the security reasons or explain its security reasons allow them an alternate password.

[00:12:22]>> Do you think the security reasoning is cutting the ice? It is as simple as a security reason.

[00:12:27]>> No Shivani let's keep it very simple.

[00:12:29]You are a landlord. You lease me out something for 20 years. At the end of the 21st year, do you owe me an explanation as to why you want your land back? Do you owe me an explanation?

[00:12:38]>> This is not just any land, right? There is also history and a legacy associated with a 120 113 year old club.

[00:12:46]>> That is what the proposals of Vak also used to say that there is a history to this land. So this property is us. But that never converted into tangible results. Right? There is history to every single land. We are a 5,000 year old civilization. There will be history to any land parcel you want to pick up.

[00:13:00]So simple relationship the government has said it needs to give no more uh indication or no more explanation to what it's doing. See, see, one thing I disagree with is the kind of accusations that are being made against the club about its elitism.

[00:13:13]>> The club being a private members club do not does not owe any explanation to the government on how it functions. Through risk management, they can burn down the club to the last.

[00:13:23]>> True. It's registered as a nonprofit on government land and the companies act.

[00:13:26]It has rules and regulations that govern.

[00:13:28]>> No, hold on. What I'm trying to say is just like the club doesn't tow an explanation on how it functions, the government also doesn't tow an explanation on what it intends to do with the landscape, what it does of its money, all are accountable. It is private club but it is under the company's act and rules and regulations. absolutely are applicable to even so elitism aside there has been a history let me take that to Nija Chri in fact niji there has been a history to some of the cases against the Delhi Jim Khana club do you think they've invited this kind of scrutiny by having a high-handed attitude in the past >> look that's what I read that even money was owed to uh to the government >> and at least for the last two years they've sent notices also my point is different legally Yes. What the the argument being made is of course the government has a right and if it makes a case for public purpose particularly defense and security proximity to the prime minister's residence all all that has they have a point there but you know I must tell you I'm deeply saddened >> and I tell you why I'm I feel saddened uh this elite non- elite argument I don't go for at all. India stands for synthesis.

[00:14:58]It has synthesizes synthesized influence over the centuries. It was British, it was the Mughals and it kept its core intact. Now this rich tapestry the diversity called India today is a is a confluence of all these threads that came together and in a strange way the Jim Khana club I'm by the way not a member of it or of any club but >> every panelist should should disclose whether they are a member or not.

[00:15:28]>> Yeah. Yeah. That's what I'm told. I'm not a member of it but I've been there and it is a symbol of the colonial postc colonial India that you know a historical legacy and yet all that we've come through and a space a democratic space I would say and these spaces are shrinking where people a bureaucrats meet with the military people with the diplomats more recently with you know with the media with others businessmen even with politicians and they discuss they can discuss policy they discuss so many different things.

[00:16:04]>> So I would I feel saddened that this symbol will be demolished.

[00:16:09]>> Do you think it's being targeted because of its colonial symbolism >> that I don't know the answer to but there are other places also and maybe there is genuine security concern but I wish there if there are security considerations I really really wish they had gone for they could have got land elsewhere. Okay. But that's me. I mean, >> no, no. In fact, I was going to ask you this. If the Delhi Jim Khana was to get, let's say, if not equally premium land, because there's not much else of such premium land, but a equally good land elsewhere in the national capital, do you think the club would maybe uh back off from what seems to be a full-on frontal fight currently? Uh I read out what they have said in their plea to the court. I mean, this is not uh just a legal argument. They've attacked the intentions of the government. They've attacked the conduct of the government.

[00:17:00]They're saying, you know, willy-nilly, you're trying to take away uh what is ours. If there was alternative land provided at a reasonably good spot, would that suffice?

[00:17:10]>> That would be another club. Yes. I mean, they may come to an agreement. Okay. It wasn't done fairly, not enough notice given, jobs involved. So many arguments that have been made. You know, it should be fair.

[00:17:22]>> Uh yes. Okay. But that will be another club a modern as I said it's not a symbol of what we are today that that makes us what we are today that historical influences and the diverse country that we are and we managed to synthesize all those in influences and stay true to our core. Okay. So that is what I pains me this thing going.

[00:17:49]>> Okay. A symbol of the synthesis of Indian history over a period of time.

[00:17:53]Data also needs to come in. Yes. I'll give you 30 seconds before that.

[00:17:58]>> If a rich man's club is being given a new parcel of land for it to relocate.

[00:18:04]Tell me Shivani. Tomorrow how does the government any government tell a slum dweller that if you're going to evict the illegally occupied land, we are not going to give you an alternate land parcel. This sets a very dangerous legal precedent. No, but that is where my problem is.

[00:18:18]>> In cases where there is slum redevelopment, those who were in those slums are given >> that's a different rehab.

[00:18:26]>> Not all slum dwellers.

[00:18:28]>> But not all slum dwellers get it.

[00:18:30]>> Not all but those who have lived for a very long time >> on a particular level.

[00:18:34]>> So the political >> No, but Tashar the question is does this club not deserve an alternate space? 113 old club. Do we not need to preserve any of its legacy?

[00:18:45]I mean how is age relevant point here? I do not get the sentiment honestly it's a 100 year old clubs sure there are 200 500,000 year old temples they do not get the same generosity from the same government so why should a club get it I honestly do not buy that >> I know you want to come in but Disha nigam has been waiting for some time so allow me to go to him this you know this step of the government is going to possibly not evoke any great reaction from the so-called commoner but is it fair to go against the elite even if it's government land that seems to be the central issue here And is that what is happening?

[00:19:19]>> Well, Shivani in fact let me come as a lawyer because >> the relation between the government and the club is strictly contractual based on lease deal. Lease deed there is no elitism or being a common person. It will be governed by the clauses of the lease deal which says it can be taken over as per the uh requirement public strategic location public purposes defense needs and anything. So it has to be strictly construed to add intention which is not there in the lease deed.

[00:19:50]It's something you know going beyond legal or common jurisdiction or common first principles of law. Secondly the issues with the uh club are going since going very long. You know who is running the club today? Because of the company law appellet tribunal nominated directors by ministry of corporate affairs because there were issues that the management was taken over by the ministry of corporate affairs and they nominated the directors.

[00:20:19]>> The rental due the original rental was 15 rupees per acre which comes to total rental of 405 rupees. Imagine so many acres 27 28 acres of land only 405 rupees have been paid which was revised in 2018 respectively and a demand of 47 some odd cr rupees has been raised which they have not paid despite the extension. So there is a normal process the the the real estate officer the state officer of the government issues notices if you don't comply don't answer properly then the appropriate action is taken. So this is not sudden. Please understand this is not sudden. There is a complete procedure going on since a long time.

[00:21:02]>> But if we were to debate on the intent and the particular attack on this club the you know the kind of face off in the manner in which it is playing out to Sanjay Ja's point that is this about an inferiority complex he named the San Par since you also are you know uh lean toward the RSS. So I'll ask you this question. See it's it's a fashion to call it sangapari and take the name of the RSS which you are quite used to but they have already the club has already gone to the Delhi high court and filed a suit not a writ petition please understand >> because it is governed by the contracts no fundamental rights involved here at all any legal right if you're saying is being challenged will is arising from the lease deed nothing beyond the lease deed and let me let me tell you they the club themselves have admitted that they want an alternative ative plot of land that they are not actually challenging being taken over. The clarification they have asked for certain compensations and things like that which can in the eyes of court they can do as per the lease.

[00:22:03]No, they cannot. We may have you know we may think about emotions and everything and the courts will be governed strictly by the lease deed. Sanjay Ja may come up with fantastic arguments which he has done so with me in uh numerous debates in the past even in Kolkata where I think his team lost very badly for rewriting history if I recollect uh strongly and therefore you know this is all politics you know you may create emotions where none exists in the least field the fact remains that that uh the club themselves want an alternative place >> okay Sanja I wanted to come in. Yes, Sanja, come in please.

[00:22:44]>> Shivani, let me let me just cut to the chase.

[00:22:47]>> According to the S Pariwar, and I'm sorry that Mr. Nigam is not going to like me repeating it again, but I will.

[00:22:53]The clubs are have members who are part of the Khan market gang.

[00:22:58]>> Yes.

[00:22:59]>> Now, what is the Khan market gang? the the the the person who's probably educated abroad or who's done well in bureaucracy or civil services or generally has a little more of an egalitarian inclusive approach to life.

[00:23:13]Someone who's not part of their think or ideological think tank offends them.

[00:23:18]That is the real fundamental issue. And I'm amused when they talk about some corruption or whatever allegations against Delhi Jim Khana because you're talking about probably the most corrupt government in India's political history.

[00:23:33]A a government that is responsible for electoral bonds where there was mafia like corporation to extort money or >> but every party got electoral bonds. No party no party gave them back. No, but Sanjay, you're making this argument that this government's world view or view of India, the idea of India doesn't match what this club stands for. So what's the big deal? This government was voting and exactly on that world view. This government has been in power for three terms now, successive terms exactly for that idea of India. So what is the big deal?

[00:24:07]>> Shivani, let me tell you, Shivani, let me tell you why I have a problem. The problem this government has is what I would call as old money. They have no problem taking all the money from that Amani Adani gang.

[00:24:21]>> No, no, no. Answer my question. Sanja, we can't verify any of these claims you're making. So I don't want to go down that road.

[00:24:27]>> Famous rich and famous fund.

[00:24:29]>> You are saying their world view differs from what used to be. What is the problem with that? Explain to me why one is better than the other.

[00:24:36]>> Shivani, let me tell you the truth.

[00:24:39]their biggest polit this is the richest political party you're talking to you're talking to a party that has probably used the most dubious um funds to fund its campaign who has funded them the rich and the elite but they >> I'm not sure I can bring in party funds and election campaigning yeah but Sanja you didn't answer my question you were saying this is a clash of civilizational mindset so be it but what is the problem with that any government that is elected is elected on its own ideas of what you know it should do they have a mandate for that but yes Tushar one second nij I'm wanted to come in on you yes ma'am >> yeah very quickly I think you know the ruling elites changed this government is now in its third term it has thrown up its elites those elites will be members of Jim Kana club and other clubs and that's the way it should be this representation of different civilizational viewpoint is a wonderful thing it it enriches our discourse so I have no problem with that at all.

[00:25:40]>> Sasha >> again Sanja might be right. Maybe the club has fantastic overview, the most superior overview. Maybe they have been blessed by Martians themselves with all the wisdom in this grand universe. Even then they do not own the land on which the club stands. It's that simple. It's a landlord tenant relationship where they are the tenants and there was always that clause. There was always that lease. All they had a century actually to convert it into a freehold agreement with all that influence got given the location of this land.

[00:26:12]>> I'm sorry.

[00:26:13]>> Exactly. And all that worldview and all that influence they couldn't get a freeold. Also one final point a question is being raised about what happens to the workers there. So 600 odd employees who are working there. Are you telling me that 5,000 odd permanent members of the club with such influence with such you know worldview for the lack of a better word cannot actually help these 600 people out exploring alternate venues of employment? I mean the club wants an alternative land parcel but the club members are unwilling to help the 600 people they're working with an alternative employment process.

[00:26:45]>> Final minutes left. Yes sir. It's just >> my my I I I think the S pari will be very happy if tomorrow the club is renamed as the dinup club or Narendra Modi club. They will make no change.

[00:26:56]They'll be very happy.

[00:26:57]>> They'll give them other prime land.

[00:26:59]>> Exactly. No, no, no. They will keep the club as it is. Okay.

[00:27:03]Narendra Modi.

[00:27:06]>> Well, I'm not sure if it is as simple as that. But yes, Data Nigam, you wanted to come in.

[00:27:11]>> Yeah. The fact remains I really love Mr. J's arguments. You know it really makes the debate quite light and fantastic to that extent may be bereft of facts certainly but the fact remains that the only world view when you go to the court is legal and constitutional sanjas or the congress parties the so-called khan you know market does not yeah does not matter at all and and it's strictly governed by the lease you can't go out of the lease and to bring in saupari you know we I don't think any sap parad member is probably a member of that face or not. I have been there as a guest somebody and lot of people who come on TV debates who you call right-wingers are members there.

[00:27:53]>> Yeah. So they will also be your point being they will also be equally agreved at the end of the day.

[00:27:58]>> Yes. Yes. Yes. Therefore let's let's not call it you know left or right kind of a thing and it is under the you know management of the ministry of corporate affairs who's nominated directors because of the mismanagement in the past where company law appellet tribunal had to pass an order. So it speaks volumes of the past conduct. Yes, I can give a suggestion that once you go to the court, let the club request for a mediation in Delhi High Court center which is known as Samadhan. Wonderful center for mediation. Some kind of a way out can be found out.

[00:28:29]>> Okay. Well, uh, one member made an argument and I think that is also what is to be kept at the core of this. The public needs places like this, right? We all do need breathing spaces where you can go and enjoy an evening. So in that respect just because this club has become you know one of those iconic clubs which has become so elite that people can't even get membership for 30 40 years for waiting in line.

[00:28:57]That's a separate matter. But there should be an attempt to give more of these facilities not just to the elite but the to the commoner as well. Then this elite commoner you know difference will go away. That is what we should aim for. But I'll end it on that. Yes. 10 seconds, sir.

[00:29:22]And by the way, it's no longer.

[00:29:31]Okay. Maybe you guys could have a meeting offline meeting at the uh club at the Delhi Jim Khana. If one of you can get an invite because both of you are claiming you're not members but maybe >> I'll call him.

[00:29:43]>> I'm a member in Mumbai. I can invite him.

[00:29:45]>> Okay. Sanja can invite the panel there.

[00:29:48]Maybe I can also get an invite. Sanja hardly an elite.

[00:29:51]>> You are welcome.

[00:29:53]>> All right. I have to end it on that note. I have to end it on that note. We wait and see what happens as far as this case is concerned. A big thanks to our guests for joining