The Land and Development Office (L&DO) officially took control of the 15.20-acre Jaipur Polo Ground located in Delhi’s Race Course area on Saturday. This action came after the Indian Polo Association (IPA), responsible for managing the site, was unable to obtain temporary relief from the courts against an eviction notice. Officials from the L&DO affixed a notice on the venue’s front wall, indicating that the ground is now considered government property and cautioning against any unauthorised occupancy.

The physical possession marks a significant step in an administrative process initiated due to a May 20 order, which outlined a ‘larger public purpose’ for the site’s reclamation. However, specific plans regarding its future use have not yet been made public. The IPA has responded to the takeover with strong condemnation, characterising the government’s actions as wrongful and arbitrary and asserting their intention to explore all possible legal remedies available to them.

Eviction Order and Legal Challenges

The IPA’s legal options diminished swiftly when the Delhi High Court referred the case to a district court. Additional Sessions Judge Dhirender Rana subsequently declined to grant an interim stay on the eviction, adhering to judicial protocol. The matter is now scheduled for a hearing on June 17. Central to the conflict is a disagreement about the lease status of the land.

The Jaipur Polo Ground has a historic significance, having been gifted to the Delhi Polo Club by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II around 1930. The management of this iconic venue transitioned to the IPA in 1983. The government claims that the official lease lapsed in March 1993, thereby rendering the IPA’s ongoing occupation illegitimate. In contrast, the IPA asserts that a communication issued in 1992 guarantees yearly lease extensions until an alternative location is provided.

Furthermore, the association notes that the government’s online portal recently accepted ground rent payments made in April 2025, extending until March 2030. This development raises questions about the legitimacy of the eviction, as it suggests ongoing recognition of their tenancy by the government.

Wider Impact on Colonial-Era Properties

The takeover of the Jaipur Polo Ground forms part of a broader administrative effort by the central government targeting premium colonial-era land holdings in Lutyens’ Delhi. There are parallel eviction processes and lease terminations currently under judicial consideration involving other notable institutions in the vicinity. Notable cases include proceedings against the historic 27.3-acre Delhi Gymkhana Club and the extensive 84-acre Delhi Race Club.

This trend towards reclaiming land raises significant concerns among various organisations operating in the area. Each case may set crucial precedents that could affect the future of similar heritage sites. As the situation develops, the IPA and other affected parties are likely to continue pursuing legal measures in order to protect their interests.

The reclamation of the Jaipur Polo Ground and other significant properties signals a shift in how the government addresses land use in central Delhi. The implications of these actions will likely extend beyond immediate property issues, potentially influencing the cultural and historical landscape of the region in the future.

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