New Delhi, July 6 -- The Delhi High Court on Monday sought the Centre's response to petitions filed by the Delhi Gymkhana Club and its Staff Welfare Association against eviction proceedings initiated over the century-old club's premises in Lutyens' Delhi.

The petitions challenge a 29 June show-cause notice issued by the Estate Officer under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. The notice asked the club to explain why an eviction order should not be issued, stating that its continued occupation of the 27.3-acre Safdarjung Road property amounts to "unauthorised occupation" after the expiry of its lease.

The High Court issued notice to the Centre and listed the matter for hearing on 28 July.

According to the...