New Delhi: Several members of the exclusive Delhi Gymkhana Club have launched a signature campaign to move court against the Centre’s order directing the institute to vacate its premises in Lutyens’ Delhi by June 5.The members plan to file a petition on Monday challenging the government’s decision to take back the sprawling 27.3-acre property located at 2, Safdarjung Road, next to the Prime Minister’s residence on Lok Kalyan Marg.Brigadier Harinder Pal Bedi (retd), a long-time member of the club, said the members had gathered on Sunday to sign an authorization letter for legal proceedings. “Many club members have signed the petition, and more are expected to sign it by tonight. Clubs have been an important part of our lives for decades, and this order has come as a shock to many of us,” Bedi was quoted as saying by PTI.Delhi Gymkhana received the notice on May 22 from the Land and Development Office (L&DO) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The order sought “re-entry and restoration” of the land occupied by the club, citing considerations of public purpose and national interest, including the need to strengthen defense and governance infrastructure in the highly sensitive area of ​​the national capital.The Center said the land parcel, spread over 27.3 acres, was required for “urgent institutional needs, governance infrastructure and public-interest projects”, integrated with the surrounding government land. Invoking clause 4 of the Permanent Lease Deed, the Government ordered that the entire property, including buildings, lawns, structures and fittings, would vest in the President of India through L&DO after taking possession on 5 June.Amid the growing controversy, the club has written to the Center requesting that there be “no disorder” in its functioning and operations. In a letter addressed to L&DO on May 23, the club urged officials not to take any disruptive action until there is clarity on issues such as transfer and possibility of alternative land allotment.The club said the move could impact around 14,000 members and users, in addition to more than 500 employees associated with the organisation. It also stated that discussions were already underway with the government regarding increasing the lease rent and a writ petition challenging the revised lease rent was pending before the Delhi High Court.According to the communication, the club is currently being managed by a general committee appointed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs following the order of the National Company Law Tribunal in 2022 until an elected body takes over.The club also highlighted the improvement in its finances in recent years, saying that the projected financial results for 2023-24 showed a profit of Rs 925.10 lakh, compared to a loss of Rs 1,239.26 lakh in 2021-22.General PK Sehgal (retd), associated with the club since 1972, said the members have unanimously decided to challenge the order.“Many former Presidents of India, senior military officers, politicians and bureaucrats have been members of Delhi Gymkhana over the years. It is one of the most prestigious clubs in Delhi, and the sudden decision to withdraw it has raised concerns among members about its future and where the club will be shifted,” he said.Established as the Imperial Delhi Gymkhana Club on July 3, 1913, the institution originally served British administrators and military officers during the colonial period. After independence in 1947, the word “Imperial” was dropped from its name, while most of the existing structures date back to the 1930s.