.The Delhi High Court on Monday slammed the Central government over its plans to take over the lands of the Delhi Gymkhana Club, Indian Polo Club and Delhi Race Club.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna remarked that Delhi is "choking" due to pollution and that the little green space that is remaining is being taken over by the government.

The Court also questioned the government counsel about its plans regarding the heritage structures in places like the Gymkhana Club.

"Why do you want the Polo Club? What are you going to do with all those heritage structures, even in Gymkhana? What are you going to do? Make 20-storey buildings?" Justice Krishna remarked.

She said that "Delhi will suffocate".

"Little breather we have in the NDMC [New Delhi Municipal Council] area is also going to go. All of us are going to suffocate and die. Government never needed the land in 200 years? Only you know what you are going to make Delhi into. You are saying Delhi people, please go to chhota-mota mountain [small mountains] and Delhi will not be fit. You have no idea how we are choking. Small lung that we have, you are going to take it away."

The Court made the remarks while hearing a plea filed by the Indian Polo Association against the government's eviction notice of May 20, 2026, ordering them to vacate the Jaipur Polo Ground in the Race Course Area.

The Association had approached the High Court stating that while it had filed a plea in the Patiala House Court against the government's eviction notice under the Public Premises Act, the judge did not consider the stay application and simply issued notices in the matter.

Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Ashish Dixit appeared for the Central government and defended the decision to take over land in the Central Delhi area. He said that the land was required for public and defence purposes.

Dixit added that there is limited space in the Central Delhi and the government's functions need to be carried out from this area itself.

“There is no public health issue in a Polo Club where only 300 people are enjoying the facilities,” he said.

The Court questioned the rationale and asked about how making high-rises was in the public interest.

"Making all high-rises is in the public interest? You look at Delhi, we have only highrises all over...God save us all if this is how you want Delhi to live. Whatever you do, you have the might, but the thing is, Delhi will choke," Justice Krishna added.  

Ultimately, the High Court disposed of the plea filed by the Polo Association with a direction to the Patiala House Court to decide its application for stay on the eviction notice on June 10.