Court issues interim directions in challenge to derecognition of club’s control over Park Lane property; respondents told to coordinate collection within two weeks
The Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to the Central Secretariat Club in its petition challenging the takeover of its premises and the derecognition of its control over the club and related property.
Justice Amit Mahajan passed the order on 7 October 2026 while hearing a writ petition filed by the club, which stated that it had been operating from property No. 07C to 10C, Park Lane, Type 5A, New Delhi since 1926. According to the court order, possession of the premises has already been taken over by the authorities pursuant to an impugned order that derecognized the petitioner’s control over the club and, consequently, the property.
The court noted that the office bearers of the petitioner club had already been evicted from the premises. As the matter could not be heard finally on the day, the court proceeded to pass a limited interim direction to safeguard the petitioner’s immediate interests.
The High Court directed the respondents to permit two officers of the Central Secretariat Club to visit the premises and collect their belongings and other items. The petitioner has been asked to provide a list of the goods and items to the respondents after visiting the property. Once that list is submitted, the respondents must take steps to facilitate the collection of those belongings.
The court also asked Central Government Standing Counsel Radhika Bishwajit Dubey, appearing for Respondent No. 1, to coordinate with the concerned department so that the exercise can be completed within two weeks.
Before taking up the writ petition, the court allowed an application for early hearing filed by the petitioner. The matter has now been listed for further hearing on 21 December 2026, and the previously fixed date of 9 February 2027 has been cancelled.
The order does not decide the legality of the derecognition or the takeover finally, but provides temporary access to the club’s representatives to recover items from the property pending further adjudication.
Bottom Line:
Club derecognition and takeover of premises - Pending hearing of writ petition, Court directed respondents to permit two officers of petitioner club to visit premises and collect belongings/items after furnishing list, and directed coordination to be facilitated within two weeks.
Statutory provision(s): Article 226 of the Constitution of India, 1950
Central Secretariat Club v. Union of India, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2995509
