Nagpur: Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the divisional commissioner and collector to explain within two weeks renting of divisional sports complex at Mankapur for marriages, commercial events and other public/family functions.

The court was hearing a suo motu PIL (No 45/2017) based on media reports alleging gross misuse of Kasturchand Park due to negligence of district administration that often rented it out for commercial activities. Earlier, amicus curiae Shreerang Bhandarkar submitted photographs of Mankapur complex being given on rent for commercial events and family functions.

Justices Bhushan Dharmadhikari and Zaka Haq asked the district sports officer (DSO) to explain how the such events were allowed in the complex. Additional government pleader Deepak Thakre informed that the photographs were of the function held outside the complex and it was related to event of Morris College. The judges then observed the respondents were not cooperating with the court.

In the last hearing on June 13, collector Ashwin Mudgal had filed an affidavit denying allegations that the sports complex was offered for marriages, commercial events and other public/family functions. He informed the deputy director of sports and youth services, through his June 16 letter, confirmed the complex was never given for marriages or other functions. It is only allotted on rent for sports, social, educational and cultural activities, he had asserted.

