MUMBAI, Oct. 18 -- The Mumbai City Collector has submitted an inquiry report to the state government on alleged violations of lease conditions by the Catholic Gymkhana on prime land at South Mumbai's Marine Drive. The report lists alleged unauthorised commercial contracts, illegal sports turf construction, an alleged monopoly over catering and decorator services, and eight unapproved mobile towers. The report has also recommended the recovery of an outstanding penalty of Rs.1,64,82,577. The 3,522.85-sq m plot was leased to The Catholic Gymkhana Ltd for 30 years, starting January 6, 1947, strictly for sports, recreation, and health exercises. The inquiry was initiated in July 2025 on a complaint from Republican Party of India (A) worker Sandesh Mohite. Among the key objections in the report is that an open area measuring 1,068 sq m in front of the building was converted into a multi-sports football-cum-cricket turf enclosed by metal frames and nylon netting. No written permission for this was obtained, according to the report by Collector Aanchal Goyal. The report also mentions commercial agreements between the gymkhana and a private company for the construction of rooftop pickleball courts and to operate the multi-sports turf on an hourly booking revenue model. This monetisation created third-party rights and breached core lease rules, the report claims. Site inspections also confirmed eight mobile towers on the building's terrace, operational since 2010-11, allegedly without the collector's permission. Accordingly, 50% of the net income generated constitutes "unearned income penalty", the report states, adding that outstanding dues in penalties amounted to Rs.1,64,82,577. The report also alleges religious discrimination in membership fees. "The fee for Catholic applicants was set at Rs.2,00,000, while non-Catholic applicants were charged Rs.5,00,000. In addition, despite mandates requiring web-based open booking for non-sporting events, the gymkhana's online portal link was found non-functional, with reservations still handled manually," the report states. The gymkhana management has refuted the allegations, stating through general manager Ivor Pacheco and general secretary Evette Malgi that the complaints were malicious and instigated by a disgruntled former contractor whose contract expired in February 2025 and who subsequently lost an open tender. They clarified that contracts with KheloMore and Maithilee were strictly management and operational service-provider licenses, ensuring ultimate possession, ownership, and control remained with the gymkhana. The artificial turf and netting were installed to promote contemporary sports for members and athletes, and the management emphasised that the BMC exempts sports turf from FSI and structural approval requirements. To counter claims of a catering and decorator monopoly, records were submitted showing 129 events serviced by 63 distinct caterers between 2017 and 2024. The club maintains sports as its primary activity, noting non-sporting events never exceeded the statutory 45-day annual cap, and highlighted that disclosure letters regarding mobile tower installations were sent to the Collector in 2010 and 2011. While a report indicates lease renewal pending state policy decisions on regularisations, penalty assessments, and punitive actions for lease violations, complainant Mohite expressed hope that the state government terminates the lease. Gymkhana president Joaquim Reis stated they operate within lease conditions and BMC permissions, confirming that recently demanded mobile tower dues will be paid next week despite ongoing litigation in the high court. Regarding alleged religious discrimination in membership fees, Reis noted this long-standing policy had never previously drawn government objections....