Kapurthala’s Jagatjit Club to go under hammer
The district administration of Kapurthala may possibly wake up from slumber if the Maharaja of Kapurthala comes back to life and shakes it up. An impending catastrophe — involving a case in which the city may have to part with its precious heritage — has so far failed to wake up the administration.
The historic Jagatjit Club — the pride of the town, which is popular as ‘Paris of Punjab’ — is up for an auction. District and Sessions Judge, Kapurthala, Harpal Singh, in his April 2 order, has directed that the 13 kanal 14 marla land (bearing khasra number 6222/4840) — on which Jagatjit Club stands — be put up for sale on May 9.
As per the order, the following schedule has been fixed: the date for notice (for the auction of the club) to be put up on April 18, ‘munadi’ on April 28, sale on May 9 and a report to be filed by May 17.
The Jagatjit Club with its imposing Greco-Roman facade, is one of the foremost architectural marvels dotting the erstwhile royal ‘riyasat’ of Kapurthala, thanks to Maharaja Jagatjit Singh’s passion for all things French.
While the property was attached by an order of a District Judge in November 6, 2024, the question is what did the administration do in the last five months to protect the town’s priceless legacy?
Notably, Phagwara resident Nirbhail Singh’s land at Hajipur village was taken by the Punjab government under the land acquisition policy for four-laning of the Ropar-Balachaur-Nawanshahr-Phagwara road in 2002. Dissatisfied with the compensation, Nirbhail Singh and others had filed an execution in the district court, demanding enhanced compensation. During the course of proceedings for the case, as per Nirbhail’s appeal, a payment of Rs 1,42,19,304 was due towards him and others as compensation.
Regarding this, District and Sessions Judge Harpal Singh Singh had issued orders for attachment of the land of Jagatjit Club on November 6, 2024 and the land was attached on December 4.
The objections from the state of Punjab that “the fard jamabandi presented contains a very big property of the Punjab government” and the “amount claimed in the petition by the decree holders is very less than the marked value of the aforesaid applicant’s property” were dismissed by the Judge in orders issued on April 2, 2025.
Interestingly, the applicant had even sought the attachment of the properties of Randhir College, Kapurthala, another huge historic property run under the patronage of the royal family of Kapurthala. The property had been duly attached in previous judgments, but was put up for an auction.
Advocate Ajay Kumar, who represented Nirbhail Singh, said, “My client has been seeking compensation for his 8 kanal 3 marla land since July 2022, but the Kapurthala District Collector and other departments failed to pay the said amount. With the amount unpaid despite a series of executions, we were forced to request the attachment of the aforesaid government properties for the recovery of the amount.”
Francophile Maharaja
Francophile Maharaja Jagatjit Singh transformed Kapurthala into a city with sprawling villas, palaces and clubs, verdant gardens and flowing fountains. The Maharaja commissioned the Jagajit Club in the early 20th century. Stated to be built in 1910, the club’s design is reportedly inspired by the Acropolis in Athens. Designed by a French architect in the Greco-Roman style of architecture, the club features a grand portico complete with Greco-Roman columns and an imposing Pediment bearing the coat of arms with the Kapurthala Royal Family’s motto – ‘Pro Rege et Patria’ (for king and countryman).
A testimony to Kapurthala’s erstwhile opulence — built as an exclusive social hub for the elite British and Indian aristocracy — the Maharaja himself frequented the club as patron. In the past, the club served as a church, a club and a cinema hall.
Will explore legal options: DC
Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal said, “The issue first came to light when the orders regarding the auction were issued in April 2. The case also directly pertains to the Public Works Department. We are taking up the case formally and all legal options will be explored. We will be moving an application shortly after seeking expert legal advice.”
Punjab