"The 33-year-old iconic restaurant Gallops opposite the winning post at the Mahalaxmi race course has buried the hatchet with the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) after a decade of litigation,” communicated RWITC steward, racing aficionado, lawyer and Parsiana columnist Berjis Desai. On May 30, 2019, the general body of members of the Club approved the consent terms between RWITC and Gallops with a record majority of 85% at an extraordinary general meeting. All pending litigation is being withdrawn, noted Desai. Gallops will make a payment of Rs 10 crores to the Club before July 30, he wrote.
Jasmine Patel, partner of BJR Hospitality that runs the restaurant and RWITC chairman Khushru Dhunjibhoy, "expressed relief at the end of the dispute,” noted Desai, adding that billionaire philanthropist Dr Cyrus Poonawalla has loaned Gallops two crore rupees for 12 months, without interest, to enable the restaurant to meet its commitment. "Patrons can now (once again) tuck into sumptuous breakfasts, leisurely lunches and dinners at one of the city’s favorite restaurants,” noted Desai, adding that the eatery has added English high tea to its menu. Patel is also assisted by her catering college graduate son Michael in running the restaurant, he wrote.
Royal Western India Turf Club; (inset) Gallops: all pending litigation to be withdrawn
"Getting the past out of the way is the first step to focus on the present and the future,” Dhunjibhoy was quoted as stating in mid-day (MD) on May 31. According to a news report, Gallops will, in addition to the upfront payment of Rs 10 crore, pay another Rs 48 crore over the next 12 years, at the rate of one crore rupees every three months. Earlier in April this year, a Bombay High Court judgment had directed the payment schedule (see "Back in the running,” Events and Personalities, Parsiana, May 7-May 20, 2019). The news report stated that Desai had released an audio clip urging all members to vote in favor of the resolution, while others had questioned Desai’s reasoning in another audio clip, stated the news report.
MD stated that RWITC "is fighting for its survival with its back to the wall after their main lifeline — income from bookmakers — stopped suddenly.” The crime branch of city police raided the licensed bookmakers ring at the racecourse in December 2018. "The bookmakers, who spent nearly two weeks in custody before being granted bail, have, since then, stopped operating, drying out the chief source of the race club’s already scarce cash flow,” noted MD.