Historic Roshanara Club building, BCCI's birthplace, sealed by DDA amid controversy

The Roshanara Club, regarded as the birthplace of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), was sealed and declared to be in the hands of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday, September 29. The club which was established in 1922, is one of the oldest clubs in the capital city.

According to the club's general secretary, Rajan Manchanda, the club had two leases, one from 1922 and the second from 1928, which were renewed every 30 years. He added that the club's lease has a 90-year term.

“We had two leases, one from 1922 and another from 1928, in every 30 years they used to get renewed. Our first lease came to an end in 2012, after which we had proper communication with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in which we requested the ministry to extend its time duration. Accordingly, we got an extension for six months. Another lease ended in 2018, after which the MoHUA sent us a letter mentioning that the government will make a policy so we will be treated accordingly,” Manchanda said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

He continued by saying that the club had received an order from the DDA to vacate six months earlier. He added that sealing had taken place despite a stay from the high court in effect until October 6. 

“We reached out to the high court and got protection from it saying that the lower court will take a decision on it. Our application in the lower court, however, was dismissed. I believe that we have got a stay order from the High Court till October 6. Suddenly around 5:30 am on Friday, DDA officials came here to take possession and seal the club," he added.

He also said that they contacted a top DDA official, who indicated the sealing had been mandated by the law. "There is no illegality in it and the matter is in the cognisance of the court,” he concluded.

Many of India's great players like Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant Sharma and more, played here in the nascent phase of their cricketing careers.