Mysore Race Club asked to vacate premises within a week

The Mysore Division of the department served the notice on December 8 and stated that the Race Club had been using the land illegally as their lease had expired on March 31, 2006. The Corporation of Mysore has also cancelled the licence of the canteen, leaving the Race Club without food or water. As a result, the Stewards of the Club have been forced to cancel races scheduled for Friday, December 10. When contacted, Mahesh, assistant commissioner of Mysore City Corporation (MCC) confirmed cancellation of canteen licence saying the Club authorities had failed to adhere to cleanliness instructions as per an earlier notice served on them.

A senior official of the Mysore Race Club, requesting anonymity, said a meeting would be held here on Friday with the government officials to discuss their requestion for extension of lease and for the continued occupation of the land.

The request is understood to be pending with the state government.  Racing has been popular in Mysore for more than a century with the late Maharaja Chamaraja Wadiyar introducing it in 1891. The current race course and the grand stand came up during the reign of Maharaja Nalwadi KrishnarajaWadiyar.

According to records, Mysore Race Club purchased the land in 1971 from the Maharaja, after which the land was acquired by the state government from the Race Club in 1976. Subsequently, the government leased out the land to the club for racing.

It may be recalled that after its lease period expired, the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC), located on Race Course Road, got entangled in a legal battle with the Karnataka government. The case went to the Supreme Court after the BTC was asked to vacate its current premises.