New Delhi: In a major relief to Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), the Delhi High Court today paved way for them to host the fourth Test between India and South Africa.
The court directed South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to issue a provisional occupancy certificate to the DDCA so it could host the match at Feroz Shah Kotla.
DDCA had got a one-day lifeline by the BCCI yesterday after it overshot the original deadline set by the Indian cricket board to get all the neccessary clearances to host the fourth Test. The state government then moved HC with a plea seeking a direction to South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) over issuing a POC.
Relieved by HC's verdict, DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan today welcomed the appointment of Justice Mukul Mudgal to oversee the affairs of the final match at Kotla.
"A major hurdle has been crossed and we have got relief. We also welcome Justice Mudgal to oversee the match and its organising," Chauhan told PTI after the day's hearing.
"He (Mudgal) is a good man, a cricket lover and very reasonable. He is very impartial and we are happy to carry on our duties under his guidance," the former India cricketer said.
The Rs 24.45 crore entertainment tax slapped by the government on the state body, which seemed to be the bone of contention in hosting the match will be up for discussion tomorrow and Chauhan is hopeful that everything will fall into place.
"Look, as I said the final hurdle has been crossed and the discussion on entertainment tax will be brought up in tomorrow's hearing. We are not running away from it but it should be reasonable," he said.
DDCA was living on hope and prayers after the three-member probe panel set up by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal observed that the state association is indulging in rampant corruption and needs to be suspended.
Anti-DDCA voices also gained ground after the government observation but Chauhan said that controversies apart, people were unnecessarily spreading negativity.
"People were jumping unnecessarily. They even tried from the backdoor to enter the match organising committee. But their intentions have been foiled," said Chauhan.
BCCI though had kept Pune as a back-up venue for the final game and are still awaiting the final verdict from the court on DDCA before they finalise the host venue.
(With inputs from PTI)
