India, July 1 -- The Union government has moved the Estate Officer seeking the eviction of the Delhi Gymkhana Club from its 27.3-acre premises at 2, Safdarjung Road in New Delhi, claiming that the land is required for defence infrastructure, public security and other public-interest projects.

In a plaint filed before the Estate Officer of the Land and Development Office (L&DO), the Centre said the land belongs to the Union of India and qualifies as public premises under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.

The government said the property had been leased in 1928 to the then Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, now known as Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd, under a perpetual lease deed. It cited Clause 4 of the lease d...