The Bombay High Court has reprimanded the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) after its General Body approved a proposal concerning a Bandra football ground despite an earlier assurance before the Court that the existing position would be maintained.
A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad passed the interim directions on August 20, 2026, in a petition concerning the proposed change in reservation of the Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation.
Background of the Case
The dispute concerns a proposal to change the land reservation of the football ground, including its proposed use as a convention or exhibition centre. During an earlier hearing on August 10, the BMC had assured the Court that no steps would be taken until the matter was considered further.
However, the civic body's General Body approved the proposal on August 18.
The development prompted the petitioners to seek an urgent hearing. BMC's Senior Advocate Girish Godbole informed the Bench that Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide had not been apprised of what had transpired during the earlier hearing.
Court's Observation
The Bench expressed serious concern over the disconnect between the assurance given to the Court and the subsequent action.
“We have a bigger problem. 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's something very bad.”
The Court also observed that parties seeking an adjournment should not take steps that alter the situation while the matter remains pending.
Justice Ghuge further remarked:
“You must tell us where people will play football now. Some spaces have to be left open, otherwise, the next generation will forget what they call ‘maidani khel’ — they'll forget the grounds.”
Decision
The Bombay High Court directed the BMC and other respondents to refrain from initiating any further steps or statutory proceedings concerning the August 18 General Body resolution and the football ground until further orders.
The matter was adjourned to September 18, 2026.
