New Delhi, 13 June (H.S.): A Delhi court has declined to grant interim protection to the Indian Polo Association (IPA), clearing the way for the Central Government to take possession of the Jaipur Polo Ground in the Race Course area of the national capital.

The order, dated June 12 and uploaded to the court's website on Saturday, came as officials of the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs took physical possession of the 15.20-acre property.

Additional Sessions Judge Dhirender Rana was hearing an application filed by the IPA under Section 9(3) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. The association had sought a stay on the enforcement and execution of the Centre's eviction order, arguing that immediate possession would cause irreparable harm and disrupt its activities.

After considering the submissions, the court declined to grant interim relief, allowing government authorities to proceed with the eviction process. The decision effectively removed the last immediate legal hurdle to the Centre's move to reclaim the land.

The dispute centres on the occupancy and use of Jaipur Polo Ground, a prominent sports facility located in one of Delhi's most prestigious areas. Government authorities have maintained that the association no longer had the legal right to continue occupying the premises and that the land falls under public property regulations.

The Indian Polo Association, which has historically managed polo-related activities at the venue, challenged the eviction proceedings and sought judicial intervention to prevent the takeover while its appeal was being considered. However, the court found no grounds to halt the implementation of the eviction order at this stage.

On Saturday, officials from the Land and Development Office proceeded with the takeover and assumed physical possession of the property, marking a significant development in the long-running dispute.

While the court's order pertains only to interim relief, the broader legal challenge regarding the eviction and related issues may continue through the appellate process. The case is being closely watched by sports bodies and legal observers because of its implications for the management and occupation of public land by private associations.

The latest ruling reinforces the government's authority to act under the Public Premises Act in cases involving alleged unauthorized occupation of public property, pending the final adjudication of related legal challenges.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar