November 01, 2025: The historic Shivaji Park Gymkhana (SPG), one of Mumbai’s oldest sporting and cultural landmarks, has come under legal scrutiny after a writ petition filed in the Bombay High Court accused it of carrying out unauthorised construction within the Grade-I heritage precinct of Shivaji Park.
The petition, filed by social activist Sanjay Kokate and represented by Advocate Rahul Tiwari, alleges that the Gymkhana illegally undertook vertical and horizontal expansions during its recent redevelopment, violating both civic and heritage regulations.
Tiwari stated, “The Gymkhana not only breached building regulations but also violated heritage laws. The illegal expansion was carried out within Shivaji Park Ground – a notified Grade-I Heritage Site.”
According to Kokate, the original single-storey structure surrounded by trees was demolished and replaced with a new building covered by galvanised iron sheets. He further claimed, “The architect took permission for repair work but submitted a false and fabricated plan, showing the old Gymkhana as a Ground + Mezzanine + First Floor RCC structure – which never existed.”
The petition contends that these falsified plans enabled the Gymkhana to secure official permissions under the pretext of “repairs.” It also accuses the club of encroaching upon the heritage ground, citing a four-metre vertical expansion allegedly cleared without proper heritage scrutiny.
Additionally, the petition objects to the construction of a tennis court on public land, which was meant to be a temporary structure. “Even fencing off cricket pitches with nets goes against the spirit of the park,” Tiwari said.
While BMC officials and SPG representatives declined to comment, club members maintained that the allegations are factually incorrect and said they will respond legally.
Source: Mumbai Mirror
