Uncertainty over ICC World Twenty20 matches in Delhi remains

The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed DDCA's restoration plea seeking a NOC from MCD for the Ferozshah Kotla stadium.

New Delhi: The T20 world cup matches to be played in Delhi remained a matter of uncertainty with the Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissing DDCA's restoration plea seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) from MCD for the Ferozshah Kotla stadium.

However, retired Justice Mukul Mudgal, appointed by the Delhi High Court to oversee the working of the association, told another bench that T-20 world cup matched may be permitted at the venue.

The report of Justice Mudgal favouring holding of matches was placed before a bench of justices S Muralidhar and Vibhu Bakhru immediately after a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw dismissed DDCA's application to restore its 1997 petition seeking NOC from MCD for the stadium which was denied ASI clearance.

On learning of the development, the bench headed by Justice Muralidhar posted the matter regarding grant of occupancy certificate to DDCA to hold matches at the stadium for hearing on March 8.

It said the cricketing body may file a special leave petition against the rejection of its restoration application.

While rejecting DDCA's restoration application, the bench headed by Chief Justice G Rohini said the association cannot "live from match to match" and it can hold a match after demolishing a part of the structure which is within 100 metres of a monument, 'Kotla Baoli'.

"You (DDCA) cannot live from match to match. This is your practice. You demolish and hold a match. It is not a matter of restoration. We do not find any reason.

"You (DDCA) demolish this and hold the match. If it is unauthorised, it has to go. It was held unauthorised and you have kept this pending since 1997. The 1997 writ petition was dismissed twice in default," the bench said.

Justice Mudgal, in his report filed through advocate Nitin Mishra, has said,"This court was particularly concerned about safety aspects of the stadium and this has been addressed by DDCA to the satisfaction of SDMC and occupancy certificate is awaited.

"DDCA may be permitted to conduct the world T20 and IPL if deemed proper by this court. Furthermore, time may be granted to DDCA upto June 30 only, as a last resort, to address any other issues unrelated to safety raised by other authorities."