The legal battle between the Mauritius Turf Club (MTC) and the Port-Louis City Council, the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Housing and Lands, concerning the use of the Champ-de-Mars racetrack continues. Judge Aruna Devi Narain heard the various parties on Thursday 05 May and she invited them to submit additional pleadings in writing on Friday 06 May.
The Judge Aruna Devi Narain gave the opportunity to the lawyers of the various parties, namely the MTC, the Port-Louis City Council, the Ministry of Lands and Housing and the GRA to make their pleadings on Thursday 05 May.
The MTC had lodged on Friday 29 April a request for an injunction before the Supreme Court against the defenders. The Club had asked for an injunction to be issued to prohibit the transfer of the exclusive use of the Champ-de-Mars to the Horse Racing Division (HRD) and the GRA. The MTC had also requested an interim order prohibiting the Port-Louis City Council from giving effect to its letter dated April 27 2022 for the termination of his lease over the Champ-de-Mars.
The MTC lawyers are Mes Rishi Pursem, Senior Counsel, Yahia Nazroo and Dya Ghose-Rahdakeesoon. The Municipal Council of Port-Louis is represented by Mes Raouf Gulbul and Hunchun Gunesh, attorney. The Ministry of Lands and Housing is represented by Mes Kritananda Naghee Reddy, Assistant Parliamentary Counsel and Verna Nirsimloo, Chief State Attorney. Mes Ravi Yerrigadoo and Ammanah Saya Ragavoodoo appeared for the GRA.
The final verdict of Judge Aruna Devi Narain will be a game changer if it is against the MTC as the hope of having a horse racing season in 2022 will vanish. Otherwise, races could resume by end of May or beginning of June.
