The HC has directed the state government, the BMC and the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to file an affidavit in reply to a PIL filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleging irregularity and illegality in allotment of land to the MCA in suburban Kandivali.
A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M.S. Sanklecha sought replies from the three bodies within three weeks.
The petition states that in 2004, the BMC had allotted a Kandivali plot, earmarked as a playground, to the MCA to set up a cricket academy. There are allegations that the MCA has set up a recreational club instead.
AAP office bearer Mayank Gandhi said, “The MCA has violated the terms by constructing a recreational club at the venue.” The party also alleged that the yet-to-be-inaugurated academy was built by flouting rules. “The plot is owned by BMC. Sharad Pawar had written to the municipal body asking it to allot a plot in the western suburbs to the MCA. Without public notifications, the land was granted to MCA in five days,” the petition stated.
The PIL has sought for the agreement to be stayed and a direction to be issued to MCA to hand over possession of the land to the municipal body.