THE Additional Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur, has rejected Vidarbha Hockey Association’s appeal challenging District Collector’s order of cancelling the lease of the 3.8 acres of land off Amravati Road and taking its custody . The District Collector, in his July 17 order, had asked Tehsildar to take custody of the ground after its lease, which was till 2037, was cancelled. The office of Nayab Tehsildar of Nazul Department had then sent a notice addressing to VHA Secretary regarding taking control of the 3.8 acres of hockey field. On August 10, Additional Divisional Commissioner Tushar Mathkar had refused to give stay to the District Collector’s order on taking custody of VHA ground. It came after an adverse report submitted by the District Sport Office which flagged lack of facilities for players and holding of tournaments.

 

VHA had then moved court challenging the decision of the Additional Divisional Commissioner and had received interim relief. The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court had asked the concerned authority to take decision within six weeks. The Additional Divisional Commissioner after hearing both the parties, passed the order on September 28, 2026. He observed that the objections raised and order passed by the district collector stands and VHA has violated the rules of revenue department. The District Collecto, in a couple of show-cause notices, had asked VHA to furnish all the documents of the lease and sought to know whether the lease rules were being followed in toto. Other reasons for cancellation of lease include; ground is not maintained, uneven bushes all around, absebce of astro-turf, an open nullah which can cause injury to players, no goalposts, no marking, no drainage system, no changing room, no clean drinking water and absence of other facilities. The decision regarding issues with Hockey India and Hockey Maharashtra is a separate issue and cannot be clubbed with this matter, the order from Additional Divisional Commissioner stated.