Mumbai: BMC has directed the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) in Worli to suspend all commercial events for next 30 days, citing alleged violations of the terms of its land lease and the club’s failure to furnish information sought by the Maharashtra legislature’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).In an order issued on Wednesday, BMC said only government and civic programmes, along with sports-related activities, would be permitted on the leased land during the 30-day period. All other commercial events have been ordered to stop with immediate effect, while authorities have also been directed not to grant fresh permissions for such events and cancel permissions already issued.The action follows observations by the PAC during multiple hearings and a site visit to the NSCI premises in August last year. The committee had sought details on several aspects of the club’s functioning, including revenues from commercial activities, sub-licensing arrangements, membership details and compliance with lease conditions.According to the BMC order, the clarifications submitted by the club were found to be unsatisfactory. The civic body stated that of the 207 programmes organised by NSCI between 2020 and 2025, 194, or 93.72%, were non-sporting events, indicating that the land allotted for promoting sports was being used predominantly for commercial purposes.The order also stated that the club failed to submit complete information despite repeated reminders and a show-cause notice issued in October 2025. Among the information allegedly not furnished were financial details relating to its sub-licence agreement with Cineyug World Wide LLP, audited financial statements of the company and other contractors operating at the premises, year-wise details of non-sports revenue from 2019 onwards, and details of membership fees and membership criteria.The BMC order further alleged breaches of key lease conditions executed in 1993. These include provisions requiring the club to frame rules governing the use of the Olympic Oval, constitute a controlling committee as prescribed under the lease and ensure that the land is used primarily for promoting and supporting sports.“The club has failed to achieve the objective for which the land was granted,” the order stated, adding that the required documents must be submitted within the 30-day period, after which the BMC verify the information and decide on further action.Copies of the order have been sent to the assistant commissioner of G-South ward, the chief fire officer, and deputy commissioners of police concerned, directing them to ensure that no commercial events are held on the premises during the suspension period.When contacted NSCI, a member said that as the managing committee elections are currently underway, they would not want to comment on the issue.
