The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) has informed the Bombay High Court that the Mumbai Football Association (MFA) lacks any legal claim to the land known as Neville D’souza Football Ground in Bandra (West). Mhada’s assertion comes as part of an ongoing legal dispute regarding the ownership and rights associated with the open plot.
On Aug 20, HC was miffed that despite an earlier oral assurance, BMC’s general body had approved the proposal. In March 1964, the collector had granted Mhada possession of a larger land. In 1983, the subject plot was designated as ‘convention complex. In Feb 2003, Mhada passed a resolution to grant permission to private/social/commercial organisations for beautification/maintenance of vacant plots including the subject plot. In August 2004, Mhada passed a resolution to lease this plot for sports. From 2010 to 2024, MFA was granted permission to use the plot as a “football ground. In May 2023, BMC proposed that the ground be designated as a playground and State govt sanctioned it under Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act. In Nov 2025, Mhada wrote to BMC to restore the reservation to “convention complex. On Aug 6, MFA challenged it in HC.
Mhada’s affidavit reiterated what senior advocate Milind Sathe had then told HC briefly. Mhada replied to MFA’s petition challenging BMC improvement committee’s proposal to change reservation of the ground to a convention centre. It directed that BMC and the state govt shall not take further steps on changing the reservation until further orders. HC issued notices to state, BMC and Mhada and sought their replies. A clause of the NOC mentioned that MFA will return the land without objection, delay or demand of compensation.
On Friday, a bench led by Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi adjourned the hearing to Oct 8 after senior advocate Zal Andhyarujina, for MFA, sought time to consider Mhada’s affidavit. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest Mumbai news.
Mhada’s affidavit said MFA “has no vested, proprietary, leasehold, statutory or indefeasible right in respect of the land described in the petition as Neville D’souza Football Ground. Such conditions did not confer “any right, title or interest in the property. ” Mhada said MFA is not entitled to use the subject plot merely because it was earlier granted temporary permission. “The petitioner cannot compel respondent 3 (Mhada) to continue the temporary permission, particularly after the earlier permission expired on Sept 21, 2024,” it added. Mhada’s reply urged HC to dismiss the petition as it is “misconceived, premature and not maintainable in its present form” and when there is “no final modification to the development plan” sanctioned by the State govt.
It was “at the highest, granted temporary and conditional permission for maintenance/ beautification and use of the open land for playing sports including football. Download the TOI App.