Fate of World T20 semifinal at Kotla still uncertain

The fate of the upcoming World T20 semi-final match at Ferozshah Kotla stadium is uncertain as Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) on Mondayfailed to get any relief from Delhi High Court over lack of completion certificate for its old club house there. The petition by the cricketing body seeking a direction to South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to issue the certificate for the R P Mehra block came up for hearing before Justice A K Pathak, who referred the plea to a division bench observing that DDCA’s issues are pending before it.

At the outset, the bench said, “I cannot allow you (DDCA) to hold matches at this stage until you get the completion certificate.” The semi-final match is slated on March 30. Senior advocates Sandeep Sethi and Rajiv Nayar, appearing for DDCA, said the R P Mehra block is there since 1996 and the occupancy certificate has already been issued. Sethi said the concern was Justice (Retd) Mukul Mudgal’s view regarding this block due to which the International Cricket Council (ICC) is seeking clarification from the DDCA. 

“Event by event, the court has directed SDMC to grant us the certificate. SDMC is not objecting to the structure (R P Mehra block). This matter deserves clarification from the court. We are aggrieved by Justice Mudgal’s letter (to BCCI).

The T20 world cup is yet to complete. A semi-final match is in Delhi,” he told the court.

Sethi further said “it is not the SDMC which is bothering us. It is Justice Mudgal’s view which is the problem. ICC is seeking clarifications on this from us.”