Delhi High Court Justice Prateek Jalan recused himself from a case over the eviction of the Delhi Gymkhana Club from its 27.3-acre site. A staff association’s suit is to go before another bench on Friday.
Jalan said he would be more comfortable if another judge heard the matter and did not explain why he was recusing himself. He said there are cases in which a person may not trust their own judgment.
Club member Vijay Khurana and the Delhi Gymkhana Club Ltd. Staff Welfare Association filed separate suits challenging a May 22 order by the Land and Development Office that terminated the club’s perpetual lease and required it to return the land by June 5. The stated grounds were to strengthen and secure defence infrastructure. The plaintiffs have also sought a stay on a June 29 eviction notice issued to the club’s management.
The staff association says its members, including cooks, waiters, kitchen and housekeeping workers, gardeners, electricians, plumbers and security staff, depend on the club for their livelihoods. It is seeking protection for their jobs and constitutional rights, arguing that the club is their workplace rather than a place of leisure. The central government had earlier said it would take no coercive action over the eviction for the time being.