India, June 14 -- The Land & Development Office (L&DO), under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, on Saturday took possession of the prime 15.20-acre Jaipur Polo Ground in the Race Course area, located in Lutyens' Delhi. The action follows an eviction order issued on May 20, through which the L&DO sought possession of the land.

The department, however, cited its requirement for a "larger public purpose" without specifying how the newly acquired land would be used.

The takeover was executed less than 24 hours after a city court declined to grant interim protection to the Indian Polo Association (IPA) against the Centre's order directing it to vacate the ground. Upon taking control, officials installed prominent signage declaring t...