New Delhi, 13 August (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has refused to stay an order directing the Central Secretariat Club to vacate its premises while issuing notice to the Centre on a petition challenging the cancellation of the club’s recognition and the eviction order.

A Bench headed by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma heard the plea challenging the government’s decisions concerning the club. The matter will be heard next on August 24.

The Directorate of Estates under the Central government had, on March 3, issued an order cancelling the allotment of land to the Secretariat Club. Subsequently, on July 14, the Union Ministry of Personnel cancelled the club’s recognition following complaints alleging that illegal activities were being carried out on its premises.

The ministry’s order also stated that the club did not have an adequate number of serving Central government employees among its members.

According to the Personnel Ministry, the club’s executive committee was allegedly involved in unauthorised occupation and encroachment of government property. The ministry further stated that a management committee had not been constituted in accordance with the applicable rules for running the club.

On July 17, the Directorate of Estates issued a notice directing the Secretariat Club to vacate the premises immediately.

The government had previously ordered the vacation of the Delhi Gymkhana Club and the Jaipur Polo Club as well.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar