The Delhi High Court refused to grant stay to the Indian Polo Association after the Jaipur Polo Ground was taken over by the Central Government. The court said that the question of stay does not arise after the occupation, although the government has been stopped from digging in the field.
New Delhi [भारत]June 29 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Monday, while hearing a plea by the Indian Polo Association (IPA) challenging its eviction from the historic sports venue, said a stay order cannot be granted when the Central government has already taken possession of the 15.20-acre Jaipur Polo Ground located in the Race Course area.
A vacation bench of Justice Vinod Kumar was hearing the association’s plea challenging the order of a sessions court under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act which had refused to grant interim relief in its appeal. The Court orally remarked, “Once the Government takes possession, no question of stay arises. If you are successful in the appeal, status quo will be restored.”
Demand to ban any changes in the field
The Indian Polo Association has challenged the Centre’s May 20 eviction order, seeking restoration of possession of the Jaipur Polo Ground, stay on the eviction order and direction to the authorities to restrain the authorities from demolishing, digging up, uprooting or altering the polo ground in any way. In addition, it has also sought fair access for regular maintenance and conservation of the turf and associated sporting infrastructure.
During the hearing, the court observed that the sessions court order was not yet available and listed the case before the roster bench on July 1. The petitioner appealed to the court to protect the century-old polo ground from being dug up while the appeal was pending, arguing that any physical alteration to the internationally recognized turf would render the proceedings moot.
Government gave assurance
When the court sought clarification about the work going on at the site, the central government explained that no excavation was taking place on the playing turf and the activity was limited only to marking the boundary of the property. The court recorded the government’s assurance that no other activity would be carried out on the polo ground except demarcation till the next date of hearing. It also took note of photographs placed on record which showed potholes on the perimeter of the field and verbally remarked, “No, you stop it… you are digging potholes.”
During the proceedings, the Center also said that the matter involves public interest and national security concerns, including surrounding defense establishments, and said the occupation of the race course, gymkhana and Jaipur Polo Ground is done in accordance with law for public purposes.
The high court also said it would hear on July 1, along with this case, a pending petition from 2016 related to alleged illegal encroachment of the Jaipur Polo Ground by the Central government. (ANI)
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