Defence estate officers take possession of Union Gymkhana in Belagavi
Defence estate officers have reclaimed the Union Gymkhana in Belagavi following a court order regarding an expired lease. Local police are now conducting inspections of similar clubs to ensure compliance with licensing and safety regulations.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the intersection of land management, military cantonment regulations, and local law enforcement oversight.
Officers from the Ministry of Defence took possession of Union Gymkhana Defence in Belagavi on July 16.
This follows a court orders for eviction of a local group that was occupying the 6.50 acres of land in the military cantonment area. The lease period had expired in 2002. The Union Gymkhana committee had challenged this, and sought extension of the lease.
The Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court delivered a judgment on April 6, 2026 dismissing the petition filed by Union Gymkhana.
This allowed the Ministry of Defence to take possession of the land.
On the instructions of Karnataka Zone Officer Divya S. Hosur, a team of Defence Estates Officers sealed the premises on July 16 evening.
City Police Commissionerate officers, Cantonment Board and the local military officers were present.
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