Citizens urge court to reopen Wilson College ground amid lease dispute

Even as the Bombay High Court is hearing pleas against the cancellation of the Wilson College’s lease on its Marine Drive gymkhana, citizens have questioned the rationale behind closing the ground to the public after the dispute.

- Manoj Ramakrishnan

A church activist has petitioned the court to direct the District Collector to open the ground to the public till the dispute is settled.

The lease on the 1.02 lakh sq mt playground, which was with the college for over a century, was transferred to the Jain International Organisation through a government resolution (GR) on March 16.

Two rival groups, each claiming to be the United Church of North India Trust Association (CNI) – the trust that owned the gymkhana lease – have challenged the cancellation of the lease. The alumni association of Wilson College has also filed an interim application, seeking inclusion in the petition.