High Court Relief for VHA: Takeover of Historic Hockey Ground Put on Hold

August 13, 2026 Headlinesnews

Nagpur :The Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) has received major legal relief in the ongoing dispute over its historic hockey ground in Civil Lines. The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has stayed, for now, the district administration’s proposed action to take possession of the ground on August 13.

The stay means the administration’s planned move to take the approximately 3.80-acre property under government control has been postponed.

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VHA approached the High Court through Writ Petition No. 6241/2026 challenging the proposed action. A bench led by Justice Nandesh Deshpande heard the petition and granted an interim stay on the administration’s action.

Advocates Shantanu Khedkar and Anurag Mankar appeared for VHA.

Administration Had Scheduled Takeover for August 13
The district administration had scheduled the takeover of the VHA ground in Civil Lines for 11 am on August 13.

A notice issued by the Naib Tehsildar, on behalf of the Nazul office, had directed the VHA secretary to hand over possession of the property to the administration.

VHA had earlier sought relief from the Divisional Commissioner but, after failing to get relief there, approached the High Court.

“We Have Got Relief for Now,” Says VHA Coordinator
VHA coordinator Krishna Joshi said stopping the proposed takeover was the association’s immediate priority and that the High Court’s order has provided relief.

He said the stay will remain in force until the matter is heard further and that the association will proceed according to the court’s directions.

Collector Had Terminated Lease on July 17
The dispute intensified after the District Collector issued an order on July 17 terminating VHA’s lease and directing that possession of the ground be taken over by the government.

The administration subsequently began the process of taking possession.

VHA has maintained that the administration is acting hastily in interpreting the lease period and has decided to fight the matter legally, citing the historic importance of the ground to hockey and sports in Nagpur.

With the High Court’s interim order, the administration’s planned takeover on August 13 has now been put on hold, with the next course of action to be determined during further proceedings.