Bandra Gymkhana President Cheryl Misquitta Resigns

Dr Cheryl Misquitta, President of the Bandra Gymkhana, resigned on Saturday night, a day before an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) was scheduled to consider her continuation in the post. The resignation was submitted at 9.10 pm and accepted by the Managing Committee, leading to the cancellation of the EGM scheduled for Sunday, August 9.

The Gymkhana issued a notice on Saturday night, apologising to members for the last-minute cancellation. Misquitta's resignation brings an abrupt end to the latest chapter in a prolonged dispute over her election to the 7,000-member club.

In her resignation letter dated August 8, Misquitta said she was stepping down with “a deep sense of disappointment and sadness”. She alleged that since her election as president on September 28, 2025, she had faced a “sustained and malicious campaign” against her. The allegations included vote tampering, file manipulation, and deletion of CCTV footage.

An inquiry headed by retired Bombay High Court judge Justice S.C. Gupte was later conducted, and the report released on February 2, 2026, found the election process and results to be fair and reliable. However, Misquitta alleged that the Managing Committee and trustees did not circulate the complete report to members until recently.

The dispute also involved court proceedings, with the Bombay High Court quashing a resolution that removed Misquitta as president and reinstating her on July 23. Despite this, the Managing Committee called another EGM with the same agenda of removing her.

Misquitta cited the prolonged controversy and its “enormous personal and emotional toll” on her and her family as the reason for her resignation. She said she would no longer be able to function effectively as president in the prevailing circumstances.

The Bandra Gymkhana was established on April 22, 1934, and has been a prominent club in the city. The resignation of its president marks the end of a contentious period in the club's history.

The cancellation of the EGM has also been communicated to members, who have been urged to inform their family and friends to avoid inconvenience.

The resignation of Cheryl Misquitta as president of the Bandra Gymkhana brings an end to a prolonged dispute that has been ongoing for several months. The club will now need to move forward and find a new president to lead it.

In the context of the city's sports and social clubs, the Bandra Gymkhana has been a significant institution. The club's history and reputation have been built over the years, and it is hoped that the resignation of its president will mark a new beginning for the club.

The city's residents will be watching the developments at the Bandra Gymkhana with interest, as the club moves forward and finds a new president to lead it. The resignation of Cheryl Misquitta is a significant development in the club's history, and it remains to be seen how the club will move forward from here.

The significance of this event for Mumbai lies in the fact that the Bandra Gymkhana is a prominent institution in the city, and its leadership has a impact on the city's social and sports scene. The resignation of its president marks a new chapter in the club's history, and it will be interesting to see how the club moves forward from here.