HC reserves judgement on BTC shift

Hearing a petition by the management and staff associations of Bangalore Turf Club  (BTC) challenging shifting of the race course, the division bench comprising Justice V Gopala Gowda and Justice B S Patil has reserved the matter for judgement.

During the hearing, the State was categorical in its submission that the Turf Club will get no alternative land.

On Tuesday, March 9, Advocate General Ashok Harnahalli had submitted that the place after the shifting would be retained as a lung space, denying rumours of constructing a highrise building.

The petitioners had submitted that the race course was existing at the current location since 1860s and the land grant is absolute and will hold good as long as racing continues.
They had further submitted that the authorities had changed the land grant as lease and the alternate site suggested by Government has a problem with a PIL citing environmental issues already before the apex court.

They had submitted that the construction of an international standard race course took 3-5 years, and that huge stakes were involved in racing which included at least 1,000 thoroughbred horses and over 5,000 employees working for horses and the club.

The club submitted that if the State does not give alternative land over 5,000 employees would be rendered jobless.