The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Delhi Golf Club (DGC) to clearly explain how membership is granted across different categories, including the applicable fees and procedures. The court expressed strong displeasure with the club for submitting what it described as a “maze of documents” instead of providing the specific information sought.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and N Kotiswar Singh said the court wanted clear details on the modalities for granting membership and the fee structure. The judges questioned whether the club expected the court to go through a large collection of documents to find the relevant information.
The court has now given the club one week to submit a concise affidavit containing the necessary details. The matter has been posted for October 15.
The issue of the club's membership rules came up during proceedings on a petition filed by Delhi resident Rajiv Suri concerning the maintenance and protection of heritage structures located within and around the Delhi Golf Club premises.
The Supreme Court had earlier, on August 24, directed the club to place on record the relevant rules, bylaws, procedures and practices governing membership for all categories. However, the court was not satisfied with the response submitted by the club.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Delhi Golf Club, assured the bench that a short affidavit containing the required information would be filed.
The proceedings are also closely linked to the preservation of several heritage structures situated within the club's boundary. The court has previously criticised the club over the alleged lack of proper maintenance of 10 heritage structures, including an early Mughal tomb, Mir Taqi’s Tomb, the Tomb of Syed Abid, a gateway and the Barah Khamba dating from the Tughlaq period.
The court had appointed senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, along with advocates Nipun Saxena and Vishal Sinha, as court commissioners to inspect the site. Their report highlighted concerns about facilities located close to heritage structures and the absence of mandatory labels intended to protect the monuments.
The Lal Bangla I and II structures, dating back to 1779-80, are centrally protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India. In May, the Supreme Court stopped activities within the 100-metre prohibited zone around the two structures and also restricted public access around some of the other heritage sites.
The Delhi Golf Club had said restoration work had been handed over to the Aga Khan Trust. However, the court later raised concerns about the restoration work, particularly the use of lime plaster that appeared to cover intricate designs on the monuments.
The latest order therefore puts both the club's membership procedures and heritage conservation efforts under continued judicial scrutiny.
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