B R Sharan Kumar

  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 expend on a series

  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 Chairman, also named in

  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, breeders, administr