Bombay HC Advances Hearing on Bandra Football Ground Reservation Change

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday agreed to advance the hearing on a petition seeking to save the Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation from August 24 to Thursday. The court's decision came a day after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) general body approved a proposal to alter the reservation of the plot from a playground to a convention and exhibition centre.

A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad took up the matter after being informed that the civic body proceeded with the decision despite giving an oral assurance to the court on August 10 that it would not take further steps regarding the proposal.

Addressing the submission, the judges stated that if they find any decision was taken that was not appropriate in light of what transpired during the earlier proceedings, the court will deal with it.

Senior advocate Zal Andhyarujina, appearing for the petitioner Mumbai Football Association (MFA), had sought an urgent hearing before the bench. He submitted that an understanding had been reached during the hearing on August 10 under which the BMC was not to take any steps while the matter was scheduled for August 24.

Andhyarujina noted that although the petitioner had not sought a formal statement to be recorded at the time, the arrangement was understood between the parties. He pointed out that the general body nevertheless passed the decision based on an earlier approval granted by the BMC's improvement committee.

During the previous hearing on August 10, the advocate representing the BMC had informed the court that the civic body's sanction, alongside a subsequent procedure to invite objections and suggestions from the public, would be necessary before any final decision on the plot could be made.

Following the submissions, the High Court scheduled the matter for a hearing on Thursday.