The Zoroastrian Club (TZC) was "founded with the main objective to promote cultural, social and religious activities among its members,” noted Secunderabad City Civil Court Senior Judge K. Swapan Rani on February 7, 2023 regarding the dispute between the Club and its one-time preferred supplier Keki P. Irani. But the 107-year-old social establishment has been the venue for disharmony, abuse and physical tussles. So much so that their annual Jamshedi Navroz function this March 21 had to be cancelled on account of the alleged "continuous threats and for the safety of our Club members,” stated Club president Jehangir Bisney in a message issued to members following a March 14 meeting of TZC’s managing committee. "It is unfortunate that our community cannot have the customary evening Navroz function due to a handful of people. Your managing committee members are fatigued, mentally stressed out and traumatized, yet they stand committed to protect the Club.”
To prevent any further unseemly incidents, the Club has shut its gates for the present. "The Club will remain closed till we feel our members are safe to enter,” stated Bisney in a WhatsApp message dated March 31 to Parsiana. Bisney alleged that Irani and his associates "continue to be stationed outside the gates.” As for the future plans, Bisney wrote to members on April 3 stating: "The Zoroastrian Club is at a crossroad and we need to take certain crucial decisions keeping in mind the objects of the Club… ‘to provide sporting and character-building amenities to its members’… We would to like to invite suggestions/views/opinions from Club members… The viable options will be put forth to the members to deliberate and only then will the best option be implemented.”
Clockwise from top: The Zoroastrian Club facade; Homi Chenoy and Godrej Irani;
Jehangir Bisney (standing, l) informing Keki and Godrej Irani (seated) of suspension from the Club
Locks on The Zoroastrian Club
Irani told Parsiana on March 29 that he was the one being victimized. "I have been here for many, many years… I have filed an appeal in the High Court.” In a message addressed to Club members Irani alleged "since the past few days some members have left no stone unturned in making life miserable for me and my family… I respectfully urge members to keep aside legal matters for once and question the act of the committee.”
The Club had filed a caveat with the Telangana High Court on February 9, requesting that they be notified "before passing any ex-parte orders.”
TZC had signed an agreement in 2011, permitting Irani to use a portion of TZC premises for conducting third party events. But since the past eight years the parties have litigated in several courts over the validity of the agreement. Irani claims he is a tenant of a portion of the Club premises.
But Justice Rani ruled that Irani "has no right to be in possession… and he failed to prove his plea of tenancy... The petitioner Club has shown prima facie case, balance of convenience and irreparable loss in its favor… Court finds that the petitioner (TZC) made out (their) case against respondent (Irani) for injunction, and the respondent has no right whatsoever over the petition schedule property or any right to conduct functions at petition schedule property, either as a tenant or as a preferred supplier any more… None of the documents filed by the respondent prove that respondent is a tenant over the petition schedule property. The documents filed by both the parties substantiate that respondent has been conducting functions at the petition schedule property from the year 2011 and he is only treated as a preferred supplier in regard to functions booked by third parties…
"It is further stated that on 17-09-2017 an FIR (first information report) was also registered against respondent and his henchmen for physically abusing and causing harm to certain members of the Club and a criminal case was registered. However, it ended in acquittal on account of improper evidence by the then ex-president of petitioner Club. That being emboldened by order, the respondent filed another civil suit… against the former president of the petitioner Club and others claiming damages of Rs 62,00,000… As of January 2019, the respondent had filed numerous cases against the petitioner and its members, causing loss, disrepute to the institution which has been serving the small Parsi community.”
The Club is represented pro bono by Vakils Associated, led by Shireen Sethna Baria, who "have rendered unstinted commitment and support by providing pro bono services to the Club for many years and being successful in all the cases,” notes a write-up from the Club.
Irani’s contention is that the Club’s committee members, who were elected in September 2021, "started harassing him to vacate the property or to pay heavy amounts towards rent… The respondent contended that petitioner committee members do not have any right to evict/dispossess him without following due process of law, more particularly from conducting the functions.”
Club history
TZC was founded in October 1915 by prominent Parsis of the twin cities: Navroji Dittia, Rustomji Toorkey, Nadirshah Chenoy, Khan Bahadur Ramiyar Icchaporia, Nadirshah Dittia, Sohrabji Reporter, Dr Kaikhushru Jeevanji and Pirojshah Ogra, states Bisney. It was located earlier on Prenderghast Road and later shifted to its present location on Sardar Patel Road in 1930. "Nawab Sohrab Nawaz Jung donated the present land to the Club and was its first president in 1915.” The Club has played host to several eminent personalities and has managed to keep intact an old world charm,” notes a write-up from Bisney.
Two open badminton courts were constructed in 1948 under then secretary Soli Pestonji. "The Club had its first indoor badminton court with wooden flooring, designed by retired chief engineer P. E. Aibara, which was inaugurated in 1951… Erland Kops from Denmark, one of the most successful players at the All England Open Badminton Championships with 11 titles in singles and doubles between 1958-67, played at the Zoroastrian Club.” Their billiards table dates back to 1918. "World champions like Kingsley Kennerley, Bob Marshall and Horace Lindrum played at the Club,” stated Bisney. The land, which was all along held on lease by TZC, was converted into freehold land in 1991. The Club hosts the triangular Jiji Irani Challenge Cup cricket tournament by rotation. "In 2012, the silver jubilee edition of the Cup was held in Hyderabad and former test cricketers, Nari Contractor and Farokh Engineer graced the occasion.”
Presently, the Club has facilities for indoor games like badminton, table-tennis, snooker/billiard, carrom, cards, etc. There are two television sets for viewing. There is a practice pitch for cricket. Most of the community members are Club members. They would total about 700 plus, according to the write-up.
The Club’s managing committee comprises Bisney, president (since October 1, 2022), Bahman Karaka, vice president, Lt Col Aspi Eduljee, honorary secretary, Homi Chenoy, honorary treasurer, and members Havovi Patel, Farhad Baria, Zarir Vasaigara, Dhunji Mistry, Parvez Baria, Kersi Patel and Omim Debara.
With inputs from Farrokh Jijina