The Zoroastrian Club (TZC) in Secunderabad that shuttered its doors on March 11 this year is unlikely to reopen them to members in the near future. The aftermath of a bitter and ugly dispute that witnessed some physical altercations between Club officials and a former vendor/contractor/supplier and his associates, continue to linger (see "Club stalemate continues,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, June 21-July 6, 2023). At the institution’s 92nd annual general meeting (AGM) held this September 24 at the Parsi Dharamsala, the Club, by an overwhelming majority (only two against) debarred the erstwhile vendor Keki Irani and his brother Godrej and nephew Shahzad from any commercial contracts with TZC for the next 30 years.
Clockwise from top l: Homi Chenoy, Lt Col Aspi Eduljee,
Jehangir Bisney, Bahman Karaka; Club building; members at the
annual general meeting
"This meeting has been held despite a last minute attempt for an injunction by the three Iranis. It was dismissed with costs as the judge found it frivolous litigation. We thank Shireen Sethna Baria and her team at Vakils Associated for their pro bono assistance,” stated TZC president Jehangir Bisney addressing the gathering of 123 members. "This meeting is at the Dharamsala and not The Zoroastrian Club due to acts of the three Iranis. We are thankful to the trustees of the Dharamsala who allowed us to use it at no cost.”
Bisney said, "Under the principles of natural justice, we called the three Iranis, but they did not attend the AGM to put forth their view.”
Bisney read out a letter by Keki, circulated on WhatsApp on September 24, which had stated: "We Iranis had approached the Honorable Court against high-handed acts of the managing committee in permanently blacklisting myself, my family members and associates and it was NEVER our intention to stop the AGM… We had very clearly provided an undertaking to the Honorable Court that we do not have any intentions of stalling the meeting but have only requested it to prevent passing a resolution on permanently blacklisting my family.”
Bisney asked for debarment of the three so that they do not conduct any commercial business with TZC. The trio has filed 25 cases against the Club from 2011 onwards, Bisney stated.
Discussion was raised on a letter dated September 4, signed by 70 members of the Club calling for the institution to be reopened (seven later withdrew their signatures). They stated: "We have been suffering for the past five months... This has not only drained TZC financially but also created an unhappy atmosphere in the community which can surely be turned around positively.
"We strongly object to TZC premises remaining closed for such a long period; even the rules of TZC mention that it cannot remain closed for more than three days at a time.
"Further, we do not anticipate any threat from any individual. The managing committee (MC) need not be worried about the security of its members and hence we want TZC be opened with immediate effect and without further delay and facilities available to the members be restored for use by the members as it is our right and it is highly upsetting to deprive members of the facilities for such an inordinate period.”
Bisney replied: "The MC cannot take responsibility for unclaimed and abandoned belongings lying in the Club’s premises. Keki Irani’s cross-examination was in progress in the Court. The matter is sub judice. Until the materials are removed, TZC cannot reopen as there could be charges on the Club for loss of materials.” Bisney further said, "We can open the Club if either one of the two conditions is satisfied: members can persuade Keki Irani to remove all the materials from the Club’s premises; or all those who have signed the representation, sign a declaration/affidavit on oath and take responsibility for any untoward incident/s that may take place if the Club is reopened and be prepared to appear before the courts, police and other departmental agencies.”
The following office bearers of the 108-year-old Club were elected unopposed — Kerfegar Antia, vice president, Kerman Katrak, honorary secretary, managing committee members Roksana Chehna, Jamsheed Hormusjee, Daisy Chenoy and Rohinton Behramsha. Bisney’s term as president and Lim Banaji as returning officer expires in September 2024.