An altercation took place between Pakistan Railways Police Lahore and Royal Palm Golf and Country Club staff on Tuesday. More than 25 Railway Police attempted to shut down the club’s cinema but were stopped by the management and staff at the club.
SP Railways along with more than 25 railways officials entered the premises of Royal Palm’s ‘Super Cinema’ to completely shut down the area. Upon inquiry the officials were however unable to produce any court orders that supported their attempt to close the cinema down.
The Railways officials entered the cinema to shut it down when staff informed senior management about the intrusion. Soon the senior management arrived at the cinema area and asked for court orders for the closure.
When the SP was unable to produce any such document they were asked to leave. The SP claimed that he had received telephonic orders to seal the cinema and they would not leave until they cinema was closed.
Eyewitnesses say that there was a physical altercation between the two parties when the club’s staff had to physically force the Railway officials out of the area after a few harsh words were exchanged.
The management of the club was of the view that in the absence of any court order that allowed the Railways to seal the cinema, how could they allow them to harass the staff and customers of the club.
Also Read: Court orders Royal Palm to be administered under former management
Royal Palm was placed under joint control of Pakistan Railways and the club’s existing management in June. The management of Royal Palm is running the club but the Pakistan Railways has posted a number of its staff at the club as well while the case is still pending with Lahore High Court.
Royal Palm was allotted the land by Railways in 2001. Pakistan Railways claims that certain contractual obligations were not met by Royal Palm due to which the club was seized in June. The case is still ongoing in Lahore High Court.
