The leading race horse owners of Western India including former Chairman of the club Dr Cyrus Poonawalla and Dr Shashi Chand Jain and leading lights like Ashwin Mehtra, Drius Chenoy, Capt Jamshed Appoo, Ashok Rupani, Vijay Shah, Hoshang J Nazir among others, have signed a petition asking the President of WIRHOA to provide satisfactory answers to several queries raised by them as to how the body representing the race owners is being run.

The story at Mumbai is no different from that prevailing in Bangalore where a handful of owners have taken control of the Karnataka Racehorse Owners Association and run it as their private fiefdom. Elections are held with the process leaving a lot to be desired. The KROA is headed by K R Swamy who is only a figure head with somebody else controlling the association. A decade ago, there was demand for total change in the set up of KROA with Ashok Raghavan coming in as Secretary. The long standing old office bearers were thrown out. Now those who said that they will bring about change are the ones who have anchored themselves in one way or the other to call the shots, often scuttling the democratic process and holding elections at their whims and fancies. Shiven Surendranath heads the WIRHOA.

The WIRHOA AGM is to be held on April 11

The petition signed by the members calls for answers for the following queries:

* At which committee meeting of WIRHOA was AGM date fixed; who was present; and was notice sent out for this committee meeting

* We need to know does WIRHOA have two committees~ one a core group of just 3 or 4 who decide everything; the rest count for nothing

* Does WIRHOA contribute to the Bangalore Riding School? At which meeting are end uses of WIRHOAs funds decided, was it on the agenda, who was present?

* Why is AGM for year 13/14 being held in April? Why was there a delay? When was application made to ROC to condone delay? A copy be furnished.

* Has WIRHOA been filing accounts for last 3 years with ROC? Copies and dates be furnished.
When was AGM notice sent? By e mail and hard copy? Proof be given. Many owners have not got the balance sheet.

* What is the last date for filing nominations? Was adequate notice given to give owners a chance to file? 21 days before April 11 makes it March 21, Did owners know this was last date to file the same?

* Who are the retiring members? As per WIRHOA articles what is procedure for inviting nominations?
Did ALL re contesting members pay 1 lakh as required under the Cos Act. Details of who has paid and on which date with cheque number be given?

* If notice was not sent on time, and as required by law, the AGM on the 11th will be illegal and will have to be declared null and void.

* The norm has been past presidents are ex-officio invitees. Please confirm whether dates of committee meetings are sent to them and proof of the same.