The state government is likely to take back the 7 acre Mumbai University plot given to All India Tennis Association. Minister of State Ravindra Waikar said that the allotment made in 2006 was illegal and therefore, he would direct the Vice-Chancellor to cancel it and also initiate an inquiry into it.

Mr Waikar, who visited the Kalina campus of Mumbai University on Monday morning, said that he was disappointed with the state of affairs there. “I visited the campus to do a follow up of the question raised by BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar in the legislative assembly in July last year regarding university land allotted to private entities. I found the 7 acre plot given to AITA to set up a training centre illegal. Therefore I am going to direct the VC to take back the land and also investigate to fix responsibility in the case,” said Mr Waikar.

The land was given to AITA in 2006. According to Mr Waikar, the University needs the state government’s sanction if it wants to sell or give its land on lease to any private entity. “There was no government sanction for it. It is necessary to find out who decided it and why,” he said.

Apart from the plot given to AITA, the minister said that there are other cases of irregularities as well. One of those cases was the land given to India Bulls, he said.

“Also, there are encroachments on nearly three acre of land. I am going to take further information in all other cases and take a decision as per the law,” the minister added.