Army insists on writ petition withdrawal - By Usman Rangeela I Mirror
Posted on - 25 Mar 2012
Army insists on writ petition withdrawal
By Usman Rangeela
Mumbai Mirror
MAINTAINING its hard-line stance against the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) regarding the usage of the central portion of the racecourse land, the army informed a turf club delegation that the Local Military Authority was willing to consider their request for permission to work horses in the bund-school provided the writ petition which is pending admission before the Bombay High Court is withdrawn unconditionally.
RWITC committee members, KN Dhunjibhoy and Champaklal Zaveri, met the LMA along with Secretary Behram Engineer yesterday to explore the ways and means to reach an amicable solution with the army.
In an email sent to Mirror regarding the meeting held between the army and the RWITC, the Southern Command’s Public Relation Office informed, “(The) RWITC had petitioned the Bombay High Court laying claim to 65 acres of A1 defence land using forged documents. The Army in turn had taken necessary measures to protect its interest and land. Consequently, further affidavit had been filed by the RWITC seeking interim relief. The matter was heard on March 20 wherein the RWITC being on weak footing had requested the Honourable High Court time for amicable mutual settlement with LMA, Pune before the next hearing.
“A meeting was held between Brigadier MS Jaswal, LMA, Pune and committee members of RWITC. The RWITC has agreed to abide by the original lease deed (1907) and various MoUs signed, they have also agreed to unconditionally withdraw the petition.”
When asked about the meeting, Dhunjibhoy said, “Our meeting with the LMA was cordial and there was no hostility. The LMA says it was following the MoU signed in 2000, which clearly states that the RWITC will seek permission from the LMA for usage of the central portion and which will be granted by the LMA. However, the LMA insisted that before any further talks, the RWITC should withdraw its writ petition.”
“I have informed the LMA that the issue will be discussed on Sunday by the managing committee which will decide the future course of action on the withdrawal of the writ petition,” Dhunjibhoy added.
The next hearing on the admission of writ petition filed by the RWITC against the army is scheduled tomorrow.
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