Can’t use ground for commercial purposes: Bombay High Court

The Duruelo Convent High School of Bandra has told the Bombay High Court that no further paver blocks would be laid on its ground, measuring 2,000 square meters, which is to be used mainly for sports activities like hockey and football.

The bench of Justice SJ Vazifdar and Justice AR Joshi was hearing the petition filed by parents of ex-students of the school who alleged that the school authorities, in connivance with local municipal corporator and member of legislative assembly, Baba Siddique, were laying the blocks so that a catering contractor could use the ground for weddings and parties. This disallowed students from playing sports, which has helped the school earn a great reputation in the state and nationally by winning many trophies.

The petition filed through advocate Pradeep Havnur states that, “The said work of concrete paver tiles were admittedly funded by the MLA. The work of putting concrete tiles is encouraged by the municipal corporator contrary to public interest, whereas public interest is that children ought to excel in sports, and by putting checkered tiles the school is only looking at commercial gains.”

Havnur also has referred to MLA guidelines for funds to be used by the elected members. He said, “The funds have to be used for creating open spaces and recreational grounds, and maintaining them. In this case, the complete opposite is happening and funds are being used for taking away the ground by using it to lay paver blocks.”

The petition will now come up for hearing on June 15.