The Delhi High Court has dismissed a petition filed by the Jockey Association of India challenging an order directing the Delhi Race Club to vacate its premises in Lutyens’ Delhi within 15 days.
Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar held that the association was not the lessee of the premises and could not maintain the writ petition, particularly when the Race Club had already pursued the statutory remedy available against the eviction order.
Background of the Case
The dispute concerns the Delhi Race Club’s premises on Central Golf Link Road. On August 11, the Estate Officer issued an order under Section 5(1) of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, directing the club to vacate the property.
The Jockey Association argued that the eviction would affect jockeys and the horses kept, trained and exercised at the facility. It also relied on the long-running dispute concerning renewal of the club’s lease.
Court’s Observation
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh argued that the association was directly affected by the decision and was concerned with the welfare of the horses.
The Centre, represented by CGSC Ashish Dixit, opposed the petition, submitting that the association had no legal standing to challenge the eviction order and that the appropriate remedy was an appeal before the designated authority.
The Court accepted this objection, noting that the association was not the lessee and that the Race Club had already filed a statutory appeal.
Decision
The Delhi High Court therefore dismissed the writ petition filed by the Jockey Association of India.
