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  Horse racing’s lavish market masks a bleak reality   By Sharan Kumar   Indian horse racing – once the sport of royalty, now seemingly one long gallop toward financial ruin, with a side of bureaucratic torment. The latest hurdles? A little something called GST and an amended Income Tax policy, making race clubs’ survival look like an audition for “Mission Impossible.” You’d think someone had bet the government was trying to bleed the industry dry – and by the looks of it, they might win that one.   Race clubs across the country are clutching their purses tighter than ever, rationing pennies while desperately relying on the goodwill of a few generous industrialists. RWITC, for instance, survives almost solely on the mercy of the big-hearted aficionados. Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) isn’t faring much better. With outstanding government dues, legal tangles, and lease rental overheads piling up, the club teeters on financial freefall, pending a possible truce w...
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     How to complicate things – BTC style   By Sharan Kumar   Ah, the Bangalore Turf Club, where a simple “yes or no” question can morph into an epic drama worthy of Shakespeare. The club’s Managing Committee has decided that it's finally time to address those "urgent" reforms it’s been sitting on for ages. And the main act? Deciding whether they should obey the government’s gentle hint to relocate the racecourse to a patch of the Kunigal Stud Farm – because, you know, being nudged to move out a decade ago clearly wasn’t enough of a clue.   Once upon a time (well over ten years back, to be precise), the High Court of Karnataka politely asked the BTC to pack up and leave within six months. But BTC, the stalwart of stalling, managed to hold its ground thanks to a Special Leave Petition wending its way through the Supreme Court. Luck and legal gymnastics aside, the club should be lighting candles at the altar of good fortune, as the governmen...
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  The troubling stalemate at Bangalore Turf Club   By Sharan Kumar   The current impasse at the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) is deeply concerning and emblematic of broader issues within the institution. The BTC's failure to reach a compromise with the government regarding the withdrawal of its Supreme Court case and the negotiation for relocating the racecourse has led to a worrying stalemate. Since April 1, the government has suspended the BTC's license to conduct its activities, and the club has made no headway in resolving this deadlock.   The BTC’s plan to move the court on Monday, with the Karnataka Race Horse Owners Association and the Karnataka Trainers Association filing as additional respondents, signals a troubling reliance on litigation to solve its issues. Under the current circumstances, litigation is far from an ideal solution. This approach only serves to prolong the conflict and deepen the crisis.   How much can the club afford to ex...
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  BTC officials charged in unprecedented scandal   By Sharan Kumar   In an unprecedented event in the history of Indian racing, the Chairman of the Bangalore Turf Club, Aravinda Raghavan, its Secretary, M. K. Kiran, and betting ring supervisor, Vijay Narasimha, have been charge-sheeted by the Central Crime Branch (SE) along with 87 others. The charges are under Sections 406, 409, 420, 120B read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 78(1)(a), (I), and 78(2) of the Karnataka Police Act 1963.   The charge sheet indicates that accused numbers 1 to 27 are on anticipatory bail, 28 to 84, 86, and 88 are on station bail, while accused numbers 85, and 89 to 91 have not been arrested. Vijay Narasimha is identified as A89, M. K. Kiran as A90, and Aravinda Raghavan as A91.   Following the police charge sheet, the Bangalore Turf Club has revoked the licenses of the involved bookmakers. However, the Club has remained silent on whether the Secretary and...
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  Should the government revive the Racing Board?   By Sharan Kumar   The Karnataka Racing Commission, established by the Ramakrishna Hegde Government in 1986, submitted extensive recommendations to address various malpractices in horse racing in Karnataka. These issues had previously led the government to compel the Bangalore Turf Club to amend its Articles of Association, prohibiting racehorse-owning members from becoming stewards. The commission, chaired by Lt Gen K P Candeth included R V Subramniam, IAS, and R J Kolah, Advocate of the Supreme Court, who proposed the creation of a Racing Board.   In light of the government's suspension of the Bangalore Turf Club's license since April 1, due to various irregularities, it may be prudent to revisit the Racing Commission's recommendations to ensure the smooth conduct of racing, free from vested interests.   The Racing Commission interviewed numerous stakeholders, including racehorse owners, breeder...
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  Riding the high horse of contempt for court orders   By Sharan Kumar The Bangalore Turf Club is embroiled in a severe crisis, exacerbated by a lack of decisive leadership to address the pressing issues. On one front, the club has failed to adhere to a court ruling of trainer Padmanabhan, whose license withdrawal due to a medication breach has been stayed. Simultaneously, the club has been unable to engage in constructive dialogue with the government to secure the restoration of licenses, which have remained suspended since April 1, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the commencement of the Bangalore Summer Season.   The Bangalore Turf Club is playing a riveting game of "Let's see how many court orders we can ignore!" Hats off to Chairman Aravind Raghavan for his stellar performance as the stubborn protagonist, determined to defy logic and reason at every turn.   Despite the court granting a stay on Padmanabhan's license withdrawal, the tur...
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 Stubborn stand-off to courtroom drama!   By Sharan Kumar   The Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) has found itself entangled in a web of legal battles that rival the drama on the track. From spats with governmental authorities to internal squabbles with everyone associated with the sport including trainers, jockeys, racehorse owners and journalists, the club's courtroom escapades have become commonplace.   At the heart of this legal circus are the club's top brass, known as the mandarins, who seem to navigate decisions with all the caution of a bull in a China shop. Their penchant for controversy has turned every aspect of racing into a legal battleground, with consequences that extend far beyond the courtroom.   Despite the club's fervent belief in its invincibility, evidenced by its lavish spending on legal defence, the reality paints a different picture. The balance sheet reveals a staggering allocation of funds towards litigation, leaving little for ...
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