Supreme Court directs Delhi HC to hear Gymkhana Club takeover plea

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, on Monday permitted the club members to move the Delhi High Court with their petition, subject to any objections raised by the opposing parties regarding maintainability and other legal grounds.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing the 11 members, informed the bench that the Delhi High Court had declined to hear their plea, contending that only the club itself could challenge the Centre's decision. The high court had subsequently suggested that the members seek clarity from the Supreme Court on their locus standi to file the petition independently.

The plea challenges both the Centre's takeover decision and the eviction proceedings that followed. Singh told the court that a government-nominated committee is currently managing the club's operations, highlighting potential governance concerns raised by the members.

The Supreme Court's directive now clears the path for the Delhi High Court to examine the substantive issues raised by the club members, though the court has acknowledged that the opposing side may still contest the legal standing of individual members to pursue the matter separately from the club's official position.