In the 2016 edition of IPL, Mumbai was facing a drought situation and the State Govt. allowed water to be used in the Wankhede Stadium. Though after some matches, Bombay High Court asked BCCI to shift the matches to other cities in order to avoid wastage of water. On Friday, The Bombay High Court issued notices asking various corporations and Maharashtra Government to file an affidavit regarding their thoughts on the IPL matches being held at the Wankhede Stadium at the time of drought.
In return to the Bombay High Court’s notice, Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) advocate said that water should be used in Wankhede Stadium as the ground has to be kept soft for the matches. And being one of the biggest grounds in India, it cannot be ignored in big leagues like IPL.
When Justice Oka also asked MCA’s advocate of IPL being a commercial entity or just a part of sports, the advocate told Bombay High Court that the IPL is a commercial or industrial activity. On this, Justice Oka asked for his clarification, “So it’s not a sports activity? Since we do not have an expertise so we just want to know what comes in the category of sports activity?”
Replying to Oka’s question, MCA advocate said, “Test cricket and national level matches come under sports activity.”The court was further informed that the Maharashtra Government gets entertainment tax from the IPL and so it can’t be a sports activity. After receiving all these information, the court asked BCCI to clarify in the case and adjourned the matter for further hearing on August 14, which will be its final hearing.
Further, the court was informed that the Maharashtra Government gets entertainment tax from the IPL and so it can’t be declared as a sports activity. The final hearing of the case will be on August 14, where the court has asked BCCI to clarify in the case.
In 2016, just before the ninth edition of IPL, the drought issue in Maharashtra sparked a controversy as many people questioned whether IPL is more important or a life. So, after few matches, Bombay High Court asked BCCI to shift matches to other cities.