Turf Club objects to composition of panel

With the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) objecting to the composition of the committee suggested by the government to oversee racing, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday said it would consider the prayer for interim relief at its hearing on Thursday.

Justice A S Bopanna was hearing a batch of petitions relating to the BTC challenging the non-renewal of its racing licence.

The court had suggested the constitution of a committee to oversee the winter season of racing at the previous hearing. In response, the advocate general filed a memo stating that the committee constituted will be headed by a retired High Court judge and will comprise retired government officers, preferably from the Indian Administrative Service and civil services. The committee will not have any representation of the stewards of the BTC.

Not acceptable

The petitioners' counsel said the memo is not acceptable to them as a steward-representation is vital in racing. A race conducted without the representation of a steward cannot be considered. The counsel pointed out that three government nominees are already part of the BTC committee.

The bench said the merits of the matter will be looked into while passing an order and the interim prayer can be considered in the next hearing. The matter was adjourned to Thursday.