Defence estate officers take possession of Union Gymkhana in Belagavi

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.

Meanwhile, city police officers have kept a watch on the operations of clubs, gymkhanas and other entertainment centres in the city.

Police Commissioner's Office has instructed all police ispectors of all police stations to conduct a comprehensive inspection of all the clubs within their jurisdiction.

This follows an incident of firing and attempt to murder in the Gymkhana club.

A list of clubs and entertainment centres within the limits of each police station is being prepared. Police are checking whether they are operating with legal licences and necessary permissions, said Commissioner Borase Bhushan Gulab Rao.

All officers have been told to follow the relevant directions of the Karnataka High Court. The conditions to be followed under the applicable laws where any games, including card games, are being given in writing to the governing bodies of the clubs.

The main conditions imposed by the police department are mandatory installation of CCTV camera at the entrance and game venues, preservation of footage for at least 15 days, issuance of identity cards to members, denial of access to games to non-members, complete ban on gambling, and full cooperation with police inspections.

All police stations will have to submit an inspection report to the Police Commissioner's office within 10 days.

The police department has warned that if any violation of the rules is found during the inspection, a report will be submitted to the relevant licencing authority with a recommendation to cancel the licence.

The Belgaum City Police Department said that this special inspection campaign has been launched to prevent illegal gambling, betting and activities that threaten public order.

The purpose of this campaign is not to cause any trouble to legally operating clubs and entertainment centres.