Jaipur Polo Ground Eviction Row: A Timeline of the Dispute
- Jun 9
- 4 min read
The Jaipur Polo Ground has become the latest landmark institution in Lutyens' Delhi to challenge the Central government's eviction drive. The Indian Polo Association (IPA) has sought protection from the Delhi High Court against an eviction order, claiming it has managed the venue for decades and that the government had continued to recognise its occupation through rent payments and other dealings.
By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, June 9: The Jaipur Polo Ground, one of Delhi’s most prominent sporting venues, has become the latest institution to challenge the Central government’s eviction drive in Lutyens’ Delhi. While hearing a plea filed by the India Polo Association (IPA), which claimed to have occupied the land legally, Justice Neena Bansal Krishna on Monday said, “Delhi will choke”.
Defending the Centre’s eviction order, Ashish Dixit submitted that the possession of the Jaipur Polo Ground, including Gymkhana, is required for public and defence purposes. The court came down heavily on him, asking if making high-rises was in public interest.
The dispute revolves around whether the Indian Polo Association (IPA) continues to hold lawful rights over the land or has been occupying it without a valid lease for more than three decades. A report by The Indian Express shared the trajectory of the Jaipur Polo Ground to this day. Here is the timeline:
Around 1930: Land of Jaipur Polo Ground Gifted by Jaipur Royal Family
The land where the Jaipur Polo Ground stands today is said to have been gifted by the erstwhile Maharaja of Jaipur to the Delhi Polo Club around 1930. The ground later evolved into a major venue for polo and equestrian events in the national capital.
February 24, 1951: Formal Lease Granted
The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) formally leased the land to the Delhi Polo Club for a period of 20 years. The IPA claims the lease was first extended in 1971 until 1982 and then extended again in 1983 until March 1993, according to a report by The Indian Express.
1983-84: Indian Polo Association Takes Charge
Following the dissolution of the Delhi Polo Club in 1983, the premises were transferred to the Indian Polo Association.
According to documents cited by The Indian Express, the government fixed the annual ground rent at Rs 400 per acre in 1984, amounting to roughly Rs 6,080 per year. The rate reportedly remained unchanged for decades.
Government Oversight Introduced
The newspaper further reported that in 1983, the Land and Development Office (L&DO) inserted an additional condition requiring government involvement in the club’s management. The Centre was granted the right to nominate two members to the club’s working committee to oversee land management and ensure compliance with lease conditions.
When the IPA took over administration of the ground in 1984, this condition was made mandatory.
1993: Lease Expires, Says Government
The Central government maintains that the lease expired in March 1993 and was never renewed.
According to the government’s position, the IPA has remained in occupation of the property “without any valid lease, authority or permission” since then.
2005: Continued Official Dealings
The IPA disputes the government’s claim and argues that authorities continued to recognise its occupation.
The association points to instances such as a 2005 government demand for Rs 2.53 lakh, including damages, which it says demonstrates ongoing official engagement with the
association.
2017: Occupation Dispute Surfaces
The government first raised concerns regarding alleged unauthorised occupation in 2017. However, the issue did not move forward at the time and was eventually set aside.
2022: IPA Seeks Lease Renewal
Records show that the IPA itself wrote to the L&DO in 2022 seeking renewal of the lease, indicating that the association was pursuing formal regularisation of its status.
April 2025: Rent Paid Up to 2030
The IPA says it paid Rs 30,400 as ground rent in April 2025 for a five-year period ending March 31, 2030. The association argues this payment reflects its understanding that the arrangement remained valid.
March 12, 2026: Eviction Notice Issued
The dispute escalated when the government issued an eviction notice to the IPA.
The association subsequently approached the Delhi High Court and initiated arbitration proceedings.
April 17, 2026: Show-Cause Notice
Even while arbitration proceedings were underway, the government issued a show-cause notice describing the IPA as an unauthorised occupant of public land.
May 20, 2026: Eviction Order Passed
An Estate Officer under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs ordered the eviction of the Jaipur Polo Ground premises.
The order stated that the land was required for a “larger public purpose and benefit”, although it did not specify what that purpose would be.
The IPA has argued that it was not given a fair opportunity to present its case before the order was issued.
June 2026: Battle Reaches Delhi High Court
The matter is now before the Delhi High Court.
The IPA argues that it should not be treated as an ordinary private occupant and that the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, does not apply to it in the manner claimed by the government.
The association has also argued that the Jaipur Polo Ground is one of the few remaining large green spaces in the area and serves as an important ecological and recreational asset for Delhi.
Why the Ground Matters
Jaipur Polo Ground has hosted several prestigious events over the decades, including Asian Games equestrian competitions, the IPA National Polo Championship, the Indian Masters Trophy and the Delhi Horse Show.
The venue remains a key centre for horse training and national-level polo competitions. The IPA has told the court that multiple tournaments are scheduled in the coming months, including the Baroda Cup, Northern India Polo Championship, Cavalry Gold Cup and Junior National Polo Championship.
The association also stated, according to The Indian Express, that it earned roughly Rs 1.5 crore through sponsorships linked to events held at the ground over the past five years.
What Happens Next?
The central question before the court is whether the IPA remained a lawful occupant after the lease period ended in 1993 or whether it has been occupying government land without legal authority ever since.
The outcome could have wider implications, particularly as other prominent institutions in Lutyens’ Delhi, including the Delhi Gymkhana Club and Delhi Race Club, are also contesting government efforts to reclaim prime public land.
