Supreme Court gives red signal to IPL matches in Maharashtra

The Supreme Court upheld the decision given by the Bombay High Court of shifting the IPL matches out of Maharashtra after May 1, following the drought conditions in the state.

Last week the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and Maharashtra Cricket Association had filed a joint Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court to allow IPL matches to be held according to the original schedule in Maharashtra. The Bombay High Court had earlier ordered the IPL matches to be shifted out of Maharashtra following a petition filed against IPL matches needing 60 lakh liters of water at a time when the state is facing a severe water crisis.

The Supreme Court has now dismissed plea made by the MCA. During the hearing, the bench headed by Chief Justice T. S. Thakur was in the favor of retaining the matches in the state at a condition that no potable water will be used for ground maintenance. But later, Justices R Banumathi and U. U. Lalit dismissed the petitions citing that it would be better to keep the matches out of Maharashtra.

MCA’s advocates  P Chidambaram and A M Singhvi stressed on the fact that only 60000 liters of water will be used and not 60 Lakh liters, as stated in the petition filed against the IPL. Speaking further in their favor, the advocates cited that treated sewage water will be used at the grounds and potable water will not be used.

Considering these claims, the bench of Justices earlier marked, “We will direct the civic bodies to disconnect the drinking water to the establishment and not a drop of potable water will be used. We will appoint a judicial officer who, with the help of police, will ensure that drinking water is not used.”

But later the court decided against this, noting that instead of having so many regulations and checks, it is better to shift the matches out of the state.

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