Parsi Cyclist Club Sale Sparks Fraud Allegations.

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098

Former India captain Nari Contractor has alleged that Mumbai’s historic Parsi Cyclist Sports Club was secretly sold without member consent. Sprouts News investigations reveal financial irregularities, forged signatures, and hasty leadership changes. The controversy raises broader concerns over real estate-linked club sales and governance lapses within Mumbai’s cricket and urban infrastructure sectors.

The sale of Mumbai’s 116-year-old Parsi Cyclist Sports Club has ignited controversy, with former Indian cricket captain Nari Contractor expressing deep concern over the transaction’s opacity. Established in 1909, the club has been a cradle for cricket legends like Polly Umrigar, Farokh Engineer, and Rusi Surti. Contractor, who once presided over the club, alleges that the sale occurred without informing its members, violating the institution’s democratic ethos.

Speaking to Sprouts News, Contractor stated he was “deeply saddened, upset and disturbed” by the news of the club’s sale. He emphasized that any decision of such magnitude should have involved member consultation, especially given the club’s storied legacy in Indian cricket. Contractor has also reached out to senior political figure Sharad Pawar, seeking his intervention in the matter.

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has responded to Contractor’s inquiries, confirming a change in the club’s authorized signatories. According to a letter from MCA Secretary Abhay Hadap, the association received a communication dated December 17, 2024, from then-president Homi Mehta and secretary R.B. Iranpur. The letter included a resolution from a December 2, 2024, board meeting, appointing Karishma Samat as president and Suraj M. Samat as secretary. The MCA’s Apex Council approved these changes in its March 19, 2025, meeting.

However, discrepancies in the documentation have raised questions. The letter’s stamp is dated December 16, while the secretary’s handwritten date was initially December 15, later altered to December 16. Given that the club’s leadership reportedly changed on December 2, the legitimacy of the former officials’ authority to sign documents post-transition is under scrutiny.

The Parsi Cyclist Sports Club controversy is not isolated. Similar issues have emerged with other heritage institutions. In 2016, the 132-year-old Ripon Club faced member protests over plans to sell part of its premises to offset financial losses . In 2019, the proposed sale of the Bandra Parsi Convalescent Home’s land, valued at over ₹200 crore, was challenged due to its designation for rehabilitation purposes .

These instances highlight a growing trend of monetizing historic Parsi institutions, often without comprehensive member engagement. The lack of transparency and potential sidelining of community interests in such transactions have raised alarms among stakeholders concerned about preserving cultural heritage.

The Parsi Cyclist Sports Club’s recent struggles reflect broader challenges faced by traditional cricket clubs in Mumbai. Once a powerhouse in local cricket, the club’s performance has dwindled, with reports indicating it fielded only four players in a 2022 match, resulting in a total score of two runs . This decline is attributed to factors like reduced community participation and financial constraints.

In contrast, clubs like the Parsee Gymkhana have maintained robust cricketing activities, thanks to proactive management and investment in facilities . The disparity underscores the importance of adaptive strategies to sustain sports institutions amid urban development pressures and changing societal dynamics.

The unfolding events surrounding the Parsi Cyclist Sports Club have prompted calls for greater transparency and member involvement in decision-making processes. Advocates argue that any significant actions, especially those involving asset transactions, should be conducted with full disclosure and community consent.

As urban development continues to reshape Mumbai’s landscape, the preservation of cultural and sporting heritage remains a pressing concern. Ensuring that historic institutions like the Parsi Cyclist Sports Club are not lost to opaque dealings is crucial for maintaining the city’s rich legacy.