No respite for Vasant Kunj club from Apex court

The last attempts of South Delhi’s posh Shanti Sports Club to retain the “illegally acquired land” in Vasant Kunj failed after Supreme Court refused to consider its petition praying for regularization of the property under Master Plan 2021, reports Bhadra Sinha.

The last attempts of South Delhi’s posh Shanti Sports Club to retain the “illegally acquired land” in Vasant Kunj failed after Supreme Court refused to consider its petition praying for regularization of the property under Master Plan 2021.

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A bench comprising Justices B. Sudershan Reddy and G.S. Singhvi showed no interest in hearing the club’s plea and upheld a Delhi High court judgment imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the club for “abusing the process of law”.

The club’s failure to vacate the premises on time despite an undertaking before supreme court did not go down well with the bench. It expressed its discontent, forcing the club counsel to withdraw the petition.

Club patrons, seeking regularisation of the club, had approached the court and contended that according to the Delhi Master Plan 2021, sports activities are an important part of physical and social development.

The club with 720 members and 196 honourary members apparently provided free membership to senior citizens and also gave free coaching to underprivileged children, who have represented Delhi at state and international levels.

The petition claimed its plea for regularization should have been accepted, especially in the wake of its decision to give up the land required by the government for a road between the existing Nelson Mandela Road and MG Road that is to pass through the club area.

The Supreme Court had earlier has also ordered the demolition of the club building as it was illegally constructed on Delhi Development Authority (DDA) land without the building plan being sanctioned.