Matters India Reporter
MUMBAI, August 13, 2025: The Catholic Gymkhana, a longstanding cultural and sporting institution on Marine Drive, has come under scrutiny by the Mumbai city district collector following allegations of irregularities in its operations. The probe follows similar lease revocations of two other prominent gymkhanas on prime government land in South Mumbai.
The complaint, filed by Sandesh Mohite of the Republican Party of India (Athawale), accuses the gymkhana of subletting land to a private company, engaging in commercial activities, and erecting unauthorized structures. Mohite’s party has also demanded that a gymkhana be allotted to the Neo-Buddhist community, citing precedents of community-based allocations in the city.
In response, Catholic Gymkhana president Joaquim Reis dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, attributing them to fallout from the termination of a service provider earlier this year. “We operate within the terms of our lease and with requisite permissions from the BMC. There has been no subletting,” he stated.
Mumbai collector Aanchal Goyal has appointed a three-member committee, led by Pradeep Taware of the city survey and land records department, to investigate the claims. The committee is expected to submit its findings within two days, ahead of a scheduled hearing with gymkhana office-bearers on August 18.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation had earlier initiated action in May over an allegedly unauthorized mesh fence around the turf ground. An official from the collectorate noted that lease agreements for most gymkhanas on Marine Drive are either expired or nearing expiry, prompting competing claims from various community organizations.
Gymkhanas in the area are leased for 30 years at nominal annual rates ranging from ₹4–20 lakh, depending on land size. While primarily intended for sports, they are permitted to host non-sporting events—such as weddings and entertainment programs—for up to 45 days annually, with ₹50,000 per day payable to the government. Officials say many gymkhanas exceed these limits, compromising their sporting mandate.