SC orders status quo on Bangalore Turf Club
Breather could facilitate smooth sailing for Winter season
The Bangalore Turf Club and the City’s racing fraternity can breathe a sigh of relief after the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered status quo till the Special Leave Petition (SLP) is disposed of.
The decision, which is expected to bring smiles to everyone associated with racing in Bangalore, also almost ensures that the Winter season, scheduled to start in November, is all set to go ahead as scheduled.
“Since status quo has been ordered, I expect the case to last for a few months, and therefore I’m confident that the winter races will start on time,” BTC chairman Harindra Shetty said from New Delhi.
The SLP contesting the Karnataka High Court decision asking BTC to vacate the current premises has been filed by the BTC, Karnataka Racehorse Owners’ Association, the BTC Employees’ Association and the Breeders’ Association of India.
A Supreme Court Bench on Tuesday considered the SLP, with lawyers representing the BTC and the KROA arguing their case.
The Karnataka Government has been given two weeks’ time to present their objections, after which the BTC and the KROA will get a further two weeks to reply to the government’s arguments.
‘Reprieve’
“It is a significant reprieve considering that the Honourable Supreme Court has ordered status quo till the disposal of the SLP,” Arvind Raghavan, Secretary, KROA, said.
Earlier in the year, the High Court had ordered the BTC to vacate its premises by September 22, 2010, in what was seen as a crippling judgement, leading an air of uneasiness and uncertainty throughout the Summer season.
The State government has offered BTC land in Sonnenahalli, about 32 kms from the current location and measuring about 120-150 acres, but BTC authorities have sought at least two years’ time to build a new race course at the proposed new location.
The government hasn’t responded to the two-year request, but Tuesday’s developments have come as a significant boost to the BTC’s cause.
