Radio Club gets switch-off notice

Mumbai Port Trust serves eviction notice to club due to lease expiry, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation demolishes mezzanine floor

One of Mumbai's landmark institutions, the 75-year old Radio Club at Arthur Bunder, Colaba, has been ordered to move out. In an order which promises wide ramifications, the Mumbai Port Trust (MPT) has directed Bombay Presidency Radio Club Limited to vacate its premises.

The port trust noted that the club has "unauthorisedly occupied the premises...in contravention of provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 5A of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971."

The club has also been directed to pay damages of Rs 1,66,48,000 to MPT. The port trust has taken serious exception of unauthorised constructions carried out on the premises.

"Yes, we have issued an order to the club," confirmed A R Mathurvaishya, estate officer, MPT, but she did not elaborate on the matter. Mohan Chandran, secretary, MPT, refused to comment on the matter saying "it's sub judice."

Club president Prem Harchandrai said the management had moved the city civil court for a stay on the MPT's order.

The club's lawyer Viren Assar said, "We have appealed against the estate officer's order in the court. The court has passed a stay order on the eviction and the hearing is on October 26."

In another development, assistant municipal commissioner Rajendra Vale sent a team to the club last week to demolish what he described as "the illegal mezzanine floor constructed inside the club".

"We took the action under Section 354A of the BMC Act," he told DNA. The BMC has also sent a bill of about Rs 7,000 to the club as expenses to carry out the demolition after its earlier notice went unheeded.

As per the lease deed between the former port trust trustees and the Radio Club on August 29, 1967, the club premises - measuring 5,833.43 sq m and the building standing on it - was leased for 28 years and 5 months commencing June 1, 1962 and ending October 31, 1990.

The lease expired and no fresh lease or tenancy was granted by the MPT. An additional 1865.12 sq m adjoining the club, known as Arthur Bunder pier, was also included in the lease agreement.

Memberspeak

Aadhik Shirodkar
Noted criminal lawyer and former Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha member, says, "I know some conflict and groupism has been going on for some time. Radio Club is a landmark in Mumbai. I'll be happy if I can be of any help to the club in this matter."

Nitin Dossa
The immediate past president, Radio Club, says, "The change of the lawyer at a crucial stage was a wrong move and came as a damaging factor to the case."

Vivek Vaswani
This film director says, "I was abroad for three months. I don't know what's happening."

Anuj Saxena
The actor says, "I have grown up with Radio Club from my childhood. I use the swimming pool and other facilities. I consider it an integral part of my life. I don't know what will the MPT gain by taking over the land. It should remain as Radio Club."

Once a radio station...

The Radio Club was established in 1928 "to stimulate interest and foster study of radio communication and allied arts." Starting as a radio station, it started enrolling members after the club house was built. Soon it became one of the most prestigious clubs in Mumbai.

Among its members are eminent lawyers Ram Jethmalani and Aadhik Shirodkar, Nanik Rupani of Priyadarshan Academy, music director Shekhar (Vishal-Shekhar of Salaam Namaste fame) and actor Aashish Chowdhury. Some other important members are Justice Ajit Shah of the Bombay High Court, actor Aftab Shivdasani and Nelson Wang of China Garden Hotel.

A long, bleak run

Some of the problems faced by the beleaguered club in recent months

A committee member and his family were excluded from club for allegedly using bad language at a managing committee meeting. In spite of tendering an apology, he is forced to go to court only to get a favourable order and re-enter the club

A member and a committee member got to fisticuffs over the issue of hygiene of the swimming pool and gym. A complaint was filed with the Colaba police station, but no enquiry was initiated

An eviction decree has been served by the Small Causes Court over a land matter

Notices received from the Registrar of Companies for violations and inspection ordered because of complaints received from members

Huge losses have been incurred since 1998, allegedly because of mismanagement of funds

Notices and penalties received from government agencies like sales tax, excise, BMC, provident fund in spite of paying heavy fees to consultants