<p> The 30-year-old standoff between the Karnataka Wakf Board and Hotel Windsor Manor Sheraton over the nearly three acres of land that it stands on, continues despite the High Court ordering the hotel’s eviction last February.<br /><br />With the hotel appealing before a Division Bench against the single bench order, the High Court appointed a mediator. Even after several rounds of talks before the mediator, the ice has not been broken between the two sides.<br /><br />Former Supreme Court judge Justice R V Raveendran is presently acting as the arbitrator, after former Supreme Court judge Justice Shivaraj Patil refused to play the role.<br /><br />At a meeting organised a fortnight ago, the Wakf Board insisted that the hotel share its profits. <br /><br />‘Rent not satisfactory’<br /><br />The hotel has, however, offered to pay a higher rent. The hotel, which pays Rs six lakh rent per month, has agreed to hike it to Rs 25 lakh per month. The Board is not pleased with the hotel’s latest offer.<br /><br />Chairperson of the Karnataka Wakf Board Abdul Riyaz Khan told Deccan Herald that the delay in settling the issue has cost the community dear. “We plan to set up educational institutions and the plot on which the hotel stands is crucial to realise the dream. </p>.<p>The monthly rent it offers to pay us is a pittance. If the market rate is considered, the hotel will have to pay us Rs two crore per month,” he said.<br /><br />A compromise formula<br /><br />Khan said the Board was ready for a compromise formula if the hotel agreed to its terms and conditions. “The Board will not share the profits of the hotel generated from the sale of liquor and pork, as it is against the principles of Islam,” he said.<br />Khan hoped that the matter will be settled in two to three months. <br /><br />“So far, more than 20 meetings have been held. Due to the inordinate delay, the growth of the community has been hit,” he added.<br /></p>
<p> The 30-year-old standoff between the Karnataka Wakf Board and Hotel Windsor Manor Sheraton over the nearly three acres of land that it stands on, continues despite the High Court ordering the hotel’s eviction last February.<br /><br />With the hotel appealing before a Division Bench against the single bench order, the High Court appointed a mediator. Even after several rounds of talks before the mediator, the ice has not been broken between the two sides.<br /><br />Former Supreme Court judge Justice R V Raveendran is presently acting as the arbitrator, after former Supreme Court judge Justice Shivaraj Patil refused to play the role.<br /><br />At a meeting organised a fortnight ago, the Wakf Board insisted that the hotel share its profits. <br /><br />‘Rent not satisfactory’<br /><br />The hotel has, however, offered to pay a higher rent. The hotel, which pays Rs six lakh rent per month, has agreed to hike it to Rs 25 lakh per month. The Board is not pleased with the hotel’s latest offer.<br /><br />Chairperson of the Karnataka Wakf Board Abdul Riyaz Khan told Deccan Herald that the delay in settling the issue has cost the community dear. “We plan to set up educational institutions and the plot on which the hotel stands is crucial to realise the dream. </p>.<p>The monthly rent it offers to pay us is a pittance. If the market rate is considered, the hotel will have to pay us Rs two crore per month,” he said.<br /><br />A compromise formula<br /><br />Khan said the Board was ready for a compromise formula if the hotel agreed to its terms and conditions. “The Board will not share the profits of the hotel generated from the sale of liquor and pork, as it is against the principles of Islam,” he said.<br />Khan hoped that the matter will be settled in two to three months. <br /><br />“So far, more than 20 meetings have been held. Due to the inordinate delay, the growth of the community has been hit,” he added.<br /></p>
