HC directs de-sealing of Flying Club only for winding up process

New Delhi, April 23

The Delhi High Court today directed de-sealing of the prestigious Delhi Flying Club (DFC) and asked the management to take out its articles and complete the winding-up process of the premises at the Safdarjung Airport in two months.

The court made it clear that now the premises would be used by the DFC, which was established in 1928 with an aim of training young men and women as aviators in India, only for the winding-up process and it will not take any fresh booking for events.

Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik and former air chief marshal and Padma Vibhushan awardee PC Lal were some of the alumni of the DFC.

Justice Rajiv Shakdher issued the direction after the counsel for the club said it was ready to withdraw the petition challenging eviction notice by the Airport Authority of India (AAI).

In January 2017, the AAI had made a demand that the DFC clear its dues and a show-cause notice was issued on by the eviction officer. The flying club had challenged the eviction notice before the high court which had directed it to assail it before appropriate authority.

The club had said since there was no appellate tribunal, it has moved the high court.

The court said the club will be de-sealed with effect from April 26 and it will give the physical possession of the premises to the AAI on or before June 26.

It said the direction that the premises will be used only for winding -up process was being issued so that third parties are not troubled because of the litigation between the DFC and the AAI.

The club authorities have been asked by the court to submit in five days the list of booking which has already been made by them and if any money would be received from the existing bookings, it will be put to a designated account to be used for disbursing salaries and other benefits to employees and meet other business expenses.

The club authorities will ensure that all articles, stocks and assets are removed on or before June 26, the court said. – PTI