Bengaluru:
The Bangalore Turf Club has been the centre of Bangalore racing for a century now. But the Karnataka government - looking at the havoc caused by crowds on race days - had told the Turf Club that it needed to move outside the city. And the deadline was December 31st, 2009.
The club said it needed more time and tried to slow its departure by filing a petition challenging the government notice. But the High Court said it has just six months to shift.
"Ultimately the Court said the Club does not have any title to the property, they do not own any title to the property. Therefore they have been directed to quit and deliver vacant possession within 6 months time," said S Vasudev, Senior Advocate, High Court.
"The Bangalore Turf Club had contended that it had a permanent grant that it could remain on the land as long as it continued the activity of racing. And we as an alternate prayer we had claimed the government is duty bound to give us alternate land if they want us to vacate this place. The court has negatived both these contentions," said S Sriranga, Turf Club Advocate.
In some relief to Bangaloreans, the Court also said there should be no construction activity on these 75 acres of prime land in the city - and that it has to remain a lung space.