Delhi High Court rejects Jockey Association's plea against government order to evict Delhi Race Club

The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a plea filed by the Jockey Association of India against a government order directing the Delhi Race Club to vacate its premises in Lutyens' Delhi within 15 days [The Jockey Association of India & Ors v Union of India & Ors].

Delhi Race Club is a century-old horse-racing institution located on Central Golf Link Road opposite the Prime Minister's House. On August 11, the Estate Officer passed an order under Section 5 (1) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, directing the club to vacate the land.

Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar today said that the Jockey Association is not a lessee and the club has already preferred a statutory appeal before the appellate court.

Therefore, the writ petition filed by the association is not maintainable, the Court said.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh appeared for the association and argued that they are directly affected by the eviction order. He said that the petitioners were seeking welfare of the horses, which are staying at the Delhi Race Club for the last 20 years.

Central Government Standing Counsel (CGSC) Ashish Dixit appeared for the government and stated that the Jockey Association has no locus to file the writ petition and that the eviction order can be challenged by an appeal before the appellate authority.

The Jockey Association is a body representing horse racing jockeys in the country. It challenged the eviction notice dated August 11, arguing that Delhi Race Club's eviction would severely affect their livelihood and leave them without facilities to stable, train and exercise their Thoroughbred horses.

The association stated that the Delhi Race Club is the only facility in North India providing the specialised infrastructure required for horse racing and related activities.

"Respondents’ decision to seek eviction of the Delhi Race Club, despite the substantial public purpose already being served by the premises, is arbitrary and contrary to law," the plea stated.

It also cited clause 6 of the lease, which provides compensation for permanent structures upon surrender. The petitioners contended that the eviction is arbitrary and disproportionate, with no public purpose or alternative facility disclosed.

It was stated that the dispute over renewal of the Delhi Race Club’s 1926 lease has been ongoing since 1999. After the Delhi High Court quashed an earlier show-cause notice in 2012, authorities offered to regularise breaches and execute a fresh lease upon payment of ₹3.48 crore, which the club paid in August 2013. The club subsequently sought a 30-year renewal.

Relying on the Delhi Race Course Licensing Rules and court judgements regulating horse racing, the petitioners argued that the government cannot now treat the club’s occupation as unauthorised.