Mumbai: HC wants BMC to consider renewal of Gallops’ restaurant licences

Consider renewing the licences of Gallops restaurant at the Mahalaxmi Race Course till April 21, the Bombay high court (HC) told the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday.

Consider renewing the licences of Gallops restaurant at the Mahalaxmi Race Course till April 21, the Bombay high court (HC) told the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday.

The civic body had, on April 13, issued a notice stating the restaurant will have to be shut down as certain licences have not been renewed.

The notice also stated that failure to vacate the premises could lead to confiscation of vessels and other items.

Senior counsel VA Thorat, who represented the restaurant, said the licences expired in 2013.

While the restaurant approached the BMC for its renewal, the civic body did not act on their request, said Thorat.

He alleged the civic body was acting at the behest of The Royal Western India Turf Club, which is locked in a dispute with the restaurant.

A division bench of justice Abhay Oka and justice AP Bhangale asked Thorat to approach the civic body to get the licences renewed. When Thorat told the court the procedure will take six weeks, the court asked him to make a submission that he will keep the restaurant closed till he gets the licences.

The court has also directed the civic body to consider the renewal and has adjourned the matter till May 7.

Take action against RWITC too: standing committee chairman
Following the action taken by the G-south ward office against Gallops restaurant, standing committee chairman Yashodhar Phanse asked why no action has been taken against the RWITC for allowing the restaurant to run on their premises without proper licences.

Phanse said, “Action should first be initiated against the club for allowing a restaurant to run for almost two years without the required licences. The BMC should also stop them from allowing weddings on their premises, as the lease of the club is yet to be renewed by the state government.”