DDA takes possession of Roshanara Club premises
Sep 29, 2023
New Delhi [India], September 30 : Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday took possession of the premises of Roshanara Club Ltd and said that the lease of the property had expired six years ago adding that management of the club had encroached had leased out a part of a land for private purposes.
"Following court orders, that inter alia upheld its eviction order dated, 12.04.2023, the Delhi Development Authority today evicted and took possession of the premises of Roshanara Club Ltd, the leases for which had expired 11 years back in 2012 and 6 years back in 2017. This action was taken under provisions of section 5 (2) of the PPE Act, 1971," an official statement issued by DDA said.
"During the eviction proceedings, it was found that apart from illegally occupying land worth thousands of crores for years together, the management of the club had allowed about 3.5 acres of precious land, out of 23.29 acres land leased to the Club, to be encroached," it added.
DDA further stated that the management of the Club had also unauthorizedly let out land to nurseries and illegal hutments.
"Furthermore, Roshanara Club Ltd has been in unauthorised occupation of the land for years together after the expiry of the lease, for which it is to pay damages. It was found that the historic and iconic Club, land for which was leased for public purposes, and which holds the distinction of serving as the cradle of Indian Cricket, had off late become the private property of certain individuals," an official statement said.
DDA also mentioned that the Club building and the premises were in a state of total disrepair due to lack of maintenance and upkeep and the land allowed to be encroached by the Management was housing Jhuggis.
Upon the expiry of the final term of the lease, Roshanara Club Ltd., through its representatives, submitted representations for an extension of these two leases but their request for an extension was rejected, the statement said.
DDA mentioned that the eviction order of the Estate Officer was challenged by the Roshanara Club before the High Court and district courts and both had rejected their petition.
The development authority further mentioned all necessary steps will be taken to restore the historic Roshanara Club to its past glory at the earliest.
"DDA, with its vast experience of running numerous sports clubs in Delhi, plans to run a club under its aegis with a new management and set of rules, in keeping with the fine sporting traditions, while exploring the possible options for accommodating the existing members enrolled by the Roshanara Club Limited, even though they do not have any lien with DDA," an official statement said.
