Legal Battles Loom Over Historic Delhi Race Club Eviction

The Delhi Race Club faces uncertainty as a legal battle over eviction threatens the livelihoods of workers caring for over 250 thoroughbred horses. The court's recent decision has left many concerned for their future, highlighting the club's historical and economic significance.

In the century-old stables at the Delhi Race Club, over 250 thoroughbred race horses are being groomed and looked after amid the raging heatwave, even as trainers and staff anxiously await the outcome of the legal battle over the eviction notice that threatens the animals and thousands of livelihoods that depend on the historic racecourse.

The uncertainty has deepened after the Delhi High Court on Tuesday set aside an order staying a show-cause notice issued to the Delhi Race Club in relation to its proposed eviction from the 84-acre premises in Lutyens' Delhi.

Workers at the club said horse races are suspended from April till August in view of the extreme heat, with the horses lodged in their stables, specially-designed to protect them from the harsh Delhi summer.

''The horses are not made to race in the summer. From April till almost August, we take special care of them as the conditions become particularly difficult,'' a stable worker told PTI.

Workers said maintaining race horses is a round-the-clock responsibility involving grooming, controlled diets, medical attention and constant monitoring.

''These animals may look majestic, but they are very sensitive. Even a small slip can injure them badly. Where will they go? These horses cannot survive on their own outside,'' a trainer said, saying the horses are treated like professional athletes.

He said their bone structure is delicate and even a small accident during training can lead to serious injury. ''A single slip can cause a hairline fracture. They cannot eat normal fodder like other horses.''.

According to trainers, the animals require a controlled diet and environment to stay fit for racing. Special feed containing nutrients, vitamins and minerals is prepared daily.

Workers said maintaining a racehorse is expensive affair because of the intensive care is requires daily. The monthly cost of maintaining a thoroughbred horse starts from around Rs 40,000, and can rise significantly depending on the animal and its training needs.

The uncertainty surrounding the race club has particularly shaken workers who have spent decades at the establishment and whose families depend entirely on it.

A stable caretaker said he has spent more than four decades working around the horses. ''I have been working here since I was 18. It has been 42 years now. I work at the stables and my children live away. This runs my household,'' he told PTI.

Many workers at the racecourse said they fear losing not only their jobs, but an entire way of life built around the club.

Trainer Irfan Ali, 50, had earlier told PTI that his family came to Delhi six generations ago along with the colonial cavalry and has remained associated with horses ever since.

''My grandfather taught me the basics. First, I worked as an assistant and then trained for years before becoming a trainer,'' he had said, adding that he currently looks after 13 race horses at the historic course.

Another worker, who joined the club around two years ago and lives nearby, said he had spent significant money relocating for the job. ''I came here after spending a lot of money hoping to get a stable job. If something happens to this place, I do not know what to do next,'' he said.

The Delhi Race Club supports a vast ecosystem of trainers, jockeys, contractors, veterinarians, cleaners and stable staff. According to club officials, nearly 5,000 families depend directly or indirectly on the racecourse.

The Centre issued a notice to the Delhi Race Club on March 13, saying it was occupying the premises and sought possession on grounds that the land was needed for public purpose.

Subsequently, on April 17, authorities initiated proceedings under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act and issued a show-cause notice to the club, calling upon it to explain why an order of eviction and recovery of damages for unauthorised occupation should not be passed against it.

The club, however, assailed the show-cause notice before the single-judge bench, which, in an interim order, directed the estate officer not to proceed with it till July 30.

The Centre has said the 1926 lease deed with the club for the 84.48-acre plot at Lok Kalyan Marg was not perpetual in nature and had expired on December 31, 1994.

Since no further extension was granted, the club's continued occupation of the land was unauthorised and liable to be examined under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, the Centre argued.