JOIN USMCA moves SC against shifting of IPL matches
The Mumbai Cricket Association on Friday approached the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court order directing shifting of IPL matches, scheduled to be played after April 30, outside Maharashtra in view of prevailing drought situation.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the cricket body, mentioned the petition before a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh which ordered for listing the matter on April 25.
In its plea, the MCA assured the court that it will not be using potable water for the cricket pitches but use treated sewage water instead. The high court had on April 13 ordered shifting of all IPL matches scheduled in Maharashtra after April 30 to another state in view of the severe drought in the state.
With the high court’s order, 13 matches, including the final in Mumbai scheduled for May 29, cannot be held in Maharashtra. The high court’s direction had come despite an assurance by the BCCI that IPL franchises of Mumbai and Pune had agreed to contribute Rs 5 crore to chief minister’s drought relief fund.
Acting on a PIL by NGO Loksatta Movement, the high court had pulled up the Maharashtra government for remaining mute spectator while maintaining at the same time that it had no objection if matches were shifted outside.
“There is a drought situation in the state, there is not a drop of water available, all dams are drying” it had said, asking “if the state can turn a blind eye to the scarcity of water.”
“Shifting of IPL matches alone won’t solve the problem, but it can be a beginning so that water used for pitches can be diverted to affected areas,” the high court had said.
Plea details
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the cricket body, mentioned the petition before a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh
In its plea, the MCA assured the court that it will not be using potable water for the cricket pitches
The high court had pulled up the Maharashtra government for remaining mute spectator