No IPL matches in Maharashtra after May 1, rules Supreme Court
Top court upholds Bombay HC order that threw out IPL matches given the drought in state.
Mumbai: In what was an expected decision, the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed Mumbai Cricket Association’s plea against the Bombay High Court order on shifting IPL matches out of Maharashtra in May. The apex court also said that no IPL matches would take place in the state after May 1.
The MCA plea was mentioned before a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh by senior advocate Kapil Sibal which listed the matter for hearing on April 25.
#NewsAlert: SC dismisses MCA's plea against Bombay HC order on shifting IPL matches out of Maha, no IPL match in the state after May 1
— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) April 27, 2016
The cricket association in its plea said that it will not be using potable water for the cricket pitches but use treated sewage water instead.
The Bombay 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.
#NewsAlert: SC observed 'it is better to move out the matches in wake of the drought' #IPL (ANI)
— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) April 27, 2016
As per the HC'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 BCCI that IPL franchises of Mumbai and Pune had agreed to contribute Rs five crore to Chief Minister's drought relief fund.