1 week ago
Bombay HC Halts BMC Plan For Bandra Football Ground
The BMC wants to change a football ground in Bandra into a place for exhibitions and conventions.
The Mumbai Football Association asked the court to stop this plan.
The BMC had earlier told the court that it would not make a decision before another hearing.
However, the BMC General Body later approved the proposal.
The High Court said this could mean the court’s assurance was not respected.
It warned that contempt proceedings might begin.
The court has now told the BMC not to take more steps for the time being.
The court also said that open places for football and other outdoor sports need to be protected.
The Bombay High Court directed the BMC to halt further steps to change Neville D’Souza Football Ground’s reservation.
The BMC proposes converting the Bandra Reclamation playground into an exhibition or convention centre.
The Mumbai Football Association challenged the proposed conversion in court.
The BMC General Body approved the proposal despite an August 10 assurance that no decision would be taken before the next hearing.
The court warned of possible suo motu contempt proceedings and asked where people would play football.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the Mumbai Football Association, and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority are involved.
- What
- The court directed the BMC to stop further action on changing the ground’s reservation from a playground to an exhibition or convention centre.
- Where
- Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation in Mumbai.
- When
- The BMC General Body approved the proposal one day before the court’s reported August 20, 2026 intervention; the next hearing is scheduled for September 18.
- Why
- The Mumbai Football Association challenged the proposed conversion, while the court questioned the BMC’s approval after its earlier assurance that no decision would be taken.
Mumbai Football Association And High Court
BMC And General Body
Whether the assurance was respected
Mumbai Football Association And High Court
The MFA said the BMC’s open-court assurance was clear and that the General Body’s approval altered the situation despite that assurance. The court warned that disregarding such statements could undermine the authority of the courts.
BMC And General Body
The BMC said its General Body approved the proposal to publish a notice inviting suggestions and objections, and that the reservation would change only after a state government order.
Whether the resolution can be suspended
Mumbai Football Association And High Court
The court asked whether the BMC could keep the resolution in abeyance while the case continued and directed it to take no further steps.
BMC And General Body
The BMC’s lawyer said the Municipal Commissioner could not independently suspend or recall a General Body resolution under the Municipal Act, though the General Body could consider a proposal to keep it in abeyance.
Future use of the ground
Mumbai Football Association And High Court
The MFA is opposing the conversion, and the court questioned where people would play football if the open ground were replaced.
BMC And General Body
The BMC General Body approved pursuing the proposed exhibition-cum-convention centre, subject to the required further process.
Key facts
- Ground
- Neville D’Souza Football Ground
- Location
- Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai
- Current reservation
- Playground
- Proposed reservation
- Exhibition or convention centre
- Petitioner
- Mumbai Football Association
- Civic body
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
- Court direction
- The BMC must refrain from further steps until further orders or the next hearing.
- Next hearing
- September 18
Quotes
Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad
Bombay High Court judges
“You must tell us where people will play football now. Some places have to be left open. Otherwise, the next generation will forget what they call it as maidani khel (outdoor sports). They will forget the ground.”
indianexpress.com
freepressjournal.in
“We have an issue of the majesty of law being at stake. If the elected people or authorities are going to jeer at the courts, then that is something very bad.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
Bombay HC halts Bandra football ground conversion for now: ‘Where will people play football?’
Bombay HC Warns BMC Of Contempt, Asks Civic Body To Keep Bandra's Neville D’Souza Ground Decision In Abeyance
Mumbai: Bombay HC Restrains BMC From Changing Reservation Of Neville D’Souza Football Ground At Bandra
Bombay HC Directs BMC To Halt Further Steps On Neville D’Souza Ground At Bandra Reclamation
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