IND vs SA: Justice Mudgal seeks free match tickets for poor children

New Delhi: Justice Mukul Mudgal, appointed observer for the fourth test match between India and South Africa, on Monday moved Delhi High Court seeking free tickets for the economically-backward school children.

The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Justice BD Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, which fixed the matter for further hearing on Tuesday.

During the brief hearing, advocate Nitin Mishra appearing on behalf of Justice Mudgal, said since most of the pavilion stands remained vacant during test matches, the tickets could be given to school children.

Read: Delhi HC paves way for DDCA to hold India-South Africa Test

Advocate Sunil Mittal, appearing for Delhi and District Cricket Administration (DDCA), said there was no objection as such from the cricket body but there was already a cap on free ticket distribution by an earlier court's order. If the relief is granted on the plea, then it should be in addition to the cap fixed, he said.

"Permit DDCA to provide Rs 50 denomination season tickets free of charge per school children alongwith the accompanying teachers for East Stand lower level (wing A) having capacity of about 9000 seats for the forthcoming test match," the plea filed on behalf of Justice Mudgal said.

Justice Mudgal, in his application, also informed the court that pursuant to its earlier order, he has commenced the process of overseeing preparations of the forthcoming  match.

He said during the course of discussions with the President, Treasurer and other office-bearers of DDCA, it has was noticed that many stands remained vacant during the Test matches.

Also read: We are in the process of getting clearances, says DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan

"A proposal was made to DDCA to give free tickets to school children, preferably from the weaker sections of the society, to attend the forthcoming test match.

"DDCA has willingly accepted the proposal to provide free admission to the school children. These tickets will be provided free of charge to the students in addition to the complimentary passes permitted to be issued by the DDCA," Justice Mudgal said in his plea.

On November 18, the court had paved the way for DDCA to hold the upcoming India-South Africa test match at Ferozeshah Kotla stadium and directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to issue the provisional occupancy certificate.

DDCA seeks one-day extension of deadline set by BCCI

It had appointed Justice Mudgal to oversee the affairs of the upcoming test to be held from December 3 to December 7.

Justice Mukul Mudgal, a former Delhi High Court judge, also headed the Supreme Court appointed committee to inquire into the allegations of corruption against former BCCI chief N Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, India Cements and others and charges of betting and spot-fixing in 2013 IPL matches.

On November 19, the court had asked the Delhi government not to withhold the 'no objection certificate' for the upcoming India-South Africa Test match here, saying DDCA has agreed to deposit Rs one crore in connection with the administration's extertainment tax demand.

It had also directed the AAP government not to take any coercive measures against DDCA in connection with Rs 24 crore entertainment tax demand raised on the cricketing body by the administration's Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax Department.