Photo Source: Babushahi Breau
Chandigarh: Sports Lawyer alleges lease deed violations by CLTA
Says CLTA Engaging in Unauthorized Subletting, Non-Compliance with Approval Processes, and Mismanagement
Calls for Cancellation of Lease Deed & Initiation of Forensic Audit of CLTA Funds
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, February 17, 2025: Prasang Raheja, a sports lawyer and senior tennis player, alleged serious violations of the lease deed executed between the Chandigarh Sports Department and the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA).
Raheja while interacting with the media said, “These violations have raised significant concerns regarding the management and misuse of public assets, as well as the integrity of the lease agreement itself.”
Given these violations and irregularities, Raheja strongly urged the Chandigarh Administration to cancel the lease deed with CLTA immediately to prevent further misuse of public property.
Raheja said, “The Chandigarh Administration should initiate a forensic audit to investigate the financial discrepancies and the potential loss caused to the state exchequer, conduct a thorough investigation into the unauthorized operation of the Chandigarh Academy for Rural Tennis (CHART) and the funds associated with it.”
According to Raheja following major violations are ongoing as per the lease deed executed between CLTA & Chandigarh Administration (Chandigarh Sports Department).
Sharing details Raheja stated that CLTA has sublet part of the premises to a café and a sports shop, in clear violation of Clause 7 of the lease agreement. Chandigarh Administration has initiated a show-cause notice to CLTA for this breach.
This information has been procured under RTI.He further stated that the lease deed was renewed in 2021 without the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), as required by law.
"This violation further undermines the integrity of the lease agreement and contradicts notifications issued by the Ministry of Finance, which stipulate the necessary procedures for lease renewal. Notification no 8(18)2010-E-11-(A) dated 28th March 2011 and the finance policy of 2017 was also not taken into consideration by the Chandigarh administration while renewing the lease deed in the year 2021. However, the terms of this lease agreement raise questions about favoritism and corruption, as special concessions have been given to the CLTA that are not afforded to other sports associations in Chandigarh," he said.
"The lease agreement has been under scrutiny for not aligning with standard lease practices and for favouring a specific party, resulting in a loss to the public exchequer.Clause number 4 of the 2017 lease deed has been altered, transferring the responsibility for maintenance from the CLTA to Chandigarh sports department.This change, made without concrete reasoning, disproportionately benefits CLTA by exempting them from significant repair obligations, which is not in line with commercial lease practices.In Spite of audit objections strangely the critical clause of maintenance was altered in the renewed lease deed of 2021," he added.
Raheja further informed and pointed out on the misuse of funds in private academy on leased premises, stating that CLTA has also established the “CHART” (Chandigarh Academy for Rural Tennis), claiming to promote social responsibility.
However, the lease agreement does not authorize the CLTA to operate such an academy on the leased premises. Despite this, the academy has received funding from private sponsors and various organizations.