Defence Estate Officers have officially taken possession of the 6.50-acre Union Gymkhana in Belagavi after the Karnataka High Court dismissed the club's lease extension plea.

Key Takeaways

  • Defence Ministry officials seized control of the Union Gymkhana in Belagavi on July 16.
  • The club's lease for the 6.50-acre military land expired back in 2002.
  • The Karnataka High Court (Dharwad Bench) dismissed the club's petition for lease extension.
  • Police have launched a massive inspection drive of all local clubs following recent violence.

In a significant move to reclaim military land, officers from the Ministry of Defence took possession of the Union Gymkhana in the Belagavi cantonment area on July 16. The action was executed following a decisive judgment by the Karnataka High Court, which paved the way for the government to reoccupy the land occupied by a local group.

The End of a Decades-Long Legal Battle

The dispute centers on a 6.50-acre plot of land within the military cantonment. Records indicate that the lease period for the Union Gymkhana had officially expired in 2002. For years, the gymkhana committee had challenged the eviction and sought extensions to continue its operations. However, on April 6, 2026, the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court dismissed the petition, effectively ruling in favor of the Ministry of Defence. Acting on the instructions of Karnataka Zone Officer Divya S. Hosur, a team of Defence Estates Officers sealed the premises in the presence of the City Police Commissionerate, the Cantonment Board, and local military officials.

Crackdown on Illegal Club Operations

Beyond the land dispute, the Belagavi police have initiated a sweeping crackdown on entertainment venues across the city. This high-alert status follows a disturbing incident of firing and attempted murder within the Gymkhana club premises, which raised serious questions regarding security and legality. Police Commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulab Rao has mandated all local police stations to conduct comprehensive inspections of every club and entertainment center within their jurisdiction.

Strict Compliance and Surveillance Mandates

The police department is strictly auditing whether these establishments are operating with valid legal licenses. To prevent illegal gambling, betting, and public order disturbances, the following mandatory conditions have been imposed on all clubs:

  • Installation of high-definition CCTV cameras at all entrances and gaming areas.
  • Mandatory preservation of video footage for a minimum of 15 days.
  • Strict identity verification for members and denial of access to non-members.
  • A total ban on all forms of gambling and illegal betting activities.

Police authorities have warned that any violation of these protocols will result in a recommendation to the licensing authority for the immediate cancellation of licenses. Inspection reports are expected to be submitted to the Commissioner's office within 10 days.