Bombay HC Halts BMC Plan to Convert Bandra Neville D'Souza Ground
The Bombay High Court on Thursday halted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's plan to convert the Neville D'Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation into an exhibition or convention centre.
A Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra V Ghuge and Justice Gautam A Ankhad directed the BMC to refrain from taking any further steps regarding the site until the next hearing, scheduled for September 18.
During the proceedings, the court questioned the civic administration on where citizens would play football if the open space was repurposed. The Bench observed that open grounds must be preserved, warning that future generations would otherwise forget outdoor sports. It added that the majesty of the law was at stake if elected authorities acted contrary to judicial directives, indicating that it would consider suo motu action unless the BMC reverted its position to what it was on August 10.
The intervention followed objections raised by the Mumbai Football Association, which flagged the civic body's move to clear a conversion proposal despite earlier assurances that the sporting ground would be protected. The court noted an earlier oral assurance given by the BMC's counsel, observing that the commitment had not been communicated to BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide.
Senior advocate Zal Andhyarujina, appearing for the football association, submitted that the BMC general body was told there was no High Court stay in place, prompting authorities to pass the resolution.
Defending the administration's stance, Senior Advocate Girish Godbole, representing the BMC, argued that the general body had only approved publishing a notice to invite suggestions and objections from stakeholders. He stated that any formal change in reservations would take place only after a state government order.
When the Bench asked whether the BMC could hold the resolution in abeyance pending further hearings, Godbole explained that under the Municipal Act, the Commissioner lacked the provision to ask the general body to suspend or recall a resolution passed on an agenda circulated the previous month.
The court has scheduled the matter for its next hearing on September 18.
