HC raps govt for not recovering IPL dues

The Bombay high court, on Thursday, rapped the state home department for failing to recover dues from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during the 2010 IPL matches.

The Bombay high court, on Thursday, rapped the state home department for failing to recover dues from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during the 2010 IPL matches.

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The BCCI owed the state crores of rupees, as the latter had provided security during the matches at DY Patil stadium.

A division bench of justice AM Khanwilkar and justice AP Bhangale was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Santosh Pachlag last year, asking the government to recover the dues from BCCI with immediate effect.

“In spite of not getting the arrears, the state government keeps providing security and other facilities religiously,” the judges remarked.

They further stated that the BCCI is a commercial enterprise that earns enough money to be able to pay the amount that is due.

The court said the government has till April (when the next IPL season begins) to recover the dues. The court also directed the secretary, home department, to expedite the decision on the BCCI’s plea urging the state to fix reasonable rates.

The counsel for the BCCI told the HC the cricketing body was not liable to pay the entire amount as it had never requested it for police security.

The BCCI said the stadium and franchise owners were the ones who had sought for security and as they are not affiliated to the BCCI, they were liable to pay the dues.

The court issued notices to the stadium management and franchise owners concerned.