Senior Lawyer Sriram Panchu Files Complaint Against Madras Club Over Accessibility

Senior advocate and mediator Sriram Panchu has submitted a formal complaint to the management of the Madras Club in Chennai, raising serious concerns regarding accessibility for persons with disabilities and the enforcement of the institution's dress code following a fall on the premises.

In a letter addressed to the club's management, Panchu, who is polio-affected and uses a cane, walker, or wheelchair for mobility, stated that he lost his balance and fell while leaving the poolside cafe on June 6. He alleged that the route he was forced to take due to his mobility constraints was broken, uneven, and unsafe. Panchu noted that he had repeatedly alerted the club about the poor condition of the pathway and requested repairs, but the issue remained unresolved.

According to the complaint, the standard route leading from the car park is paved with cobblestones, making it difficult for wheelchair users to navigate. Consequently, Panchu had to take an alternative pathway running past the barbershop, which he described as jagged, rutty, and hazardous for wheelchair access.

Citing provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, the senior lawyer sought details regarding the club's policy on disability access. Panchu stated that he plans to pursue legal action under disability rights laws, seek intervention from government authorities, and push for wider scrutiny of accessibility standards and dress code practices at private clubs at a national level.

Panchu also raised a separate grievance concerning an incident involving a 75-year-old lawyer from Telangana whom he had invited to lunch at the club. A steward approached the guest to state that his attire did not comply with the club's dress code, an interaction Panchu described as embarrassing and unnecessary.

Sources within the Madras Club disputed claims that the establishment is insensitive to persons with disabilities, stating that the club has long provided facilities and access for differently abled members. The sources said the accessibility issues raised by Panchu are being examined and that measures are underway to address the maintenance concerns.

Regarding the dress code incident, club sources explained that the guest was wearing a jibba, leading an attender to politely whisper a reminder about regulations. The sources denied any deliberate targeting and expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved amicably.