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The Delhi High Court Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel & Justice Jasmeet Singh has adjourned the plea for seeking relief against an arbitrary, unreasonable and unjustified action on part of the Respondent(s) in purporting to conduct the IPL matches in Delhi amid the horrifying Covid-19 situation in Delhi for May 19, 2021.

Ld SGI Shri Tushar Mehta appearing on behalf of the Board of Control for Cricket in India ("BCCI") apprised the Bench about the decisions taken yesterday to ban IPL.

On the last date of hearing, the Single Bench of Justice Pratibha Singh directed for listing the petition before the appropriate division bench. 

“The present petition seeks a ban on the conduct of Indian Premier League (hereinafter, ‘IPL’) matches and prays for directions against the Union of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for stoppage of IPL matches with immediate effect.Considering the nature of the matter and the fact that this petition is in public interest, subject to orders of the Hon’ble Chief Justice, list before the appropriate Division Bench, as per the Roster, on 5th May, 2021.”, the order dated May 3, 2021 read.

It has been argued that in the Capital where common people have been struggling for beds in hospitals, cremation grounds for the last rituals & oxygen cylinder for critical patients & basic medicines, the conduct of IPL matches in Delhi would disturb the mental peace of those who are struggling to save their loved ones & that there is an urgent need to prioritize Public Health over these matches. 

“That the once celebrated IPL has now occupied eyes from all over the globe, not for its magnificence but for the news of the cricketers abandoning the league for their own safety in light of the current situation. It is in fact frightening as well as astonishing that instead of the government barring the event from its very beginning, it is the players who, having left with no alternatives have decided to take the lead and call it a game. Changing the channel and worrying about the victory of one’s favorite team does not in actuality obliterate the problem and the festivities can even be mocking on the face of the innumerous deaths and the families of the departed.”, the plea states.

The plea was filed by an Advocate of the Supreme Court of India, Karan S Thukral & Inder Mohan Singh. The petitioner averred that Delhi has been in the throes of crisis for close to two weeks with people struggling to find beds in hospitals, oxygen cylinders for home management of the disease, medicines, as well as help from government officials. It was also averred that all the hospitals across the city have been turning away people for lack of beds, oxygen, and medical staff, and many patients have died gasping for breath while waiting for admission outside hospital gates. Hospitals have been facing an acute shortage of medical oxygen as demand has outstripped supply.

Further the petitioners averred that the authorities are trying to conceal their capitalistic agendas against their contention of providing a distraction to the people amid too much negativity all around. 

“Although it is not the first time when the toils of common people are being mocked by those in powers, however, some showcase of sense was expected from an international figure such as the BCCI itself.That the Respondent(s) have completely forgotten that we are in midst of a worldwide pandemic where post-apocalyptic fiction has occupied the role of current affairs. While people are busy asking for help and sharing leads for basic medical facilities, the private sponsors are busy minting money which could have been invested for the welfare of the grieving people. That the government has very conveniently turned a blind eye on the whole scenario, ignoring the possible consequences that can arise out of it.”- excerpt from the plea.

The petitioners have also averred that the cricketers influence a good proportion of youth & many consider them as their idol & seeing their insensitive approach towards the whole situation would affect the young fanatics in a manner that could prove to be harmful for themselves & for the people surrounding them. 

Therefore in light of the above, the plea has requested for using cricket stadium as CoVID care centres to reduce the plight of common people & for ordering a stay over the conduct of IPL matches in Delhi. Further, it has also been prayed for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the Respondent(s) to hold an enquiry as to why the IPL is being prioritized over the Public Health.

The matter will now be taken up on May 19, 2021.

Case Title: Karan S Thukral & Ors v. Union of India & Ors| WP(C) 5118/2021