In New Delhi, the Delhi High Court has dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an order for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Delhi Capitals to compensate the Delhi Police for the security services provided during Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.
The petitioner, a self-proclaimed social activist, argued that similar matters of police payment for security during IPL matches in Mumbai and Jaipur were previously addressed by their respective high courts.
A bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan noted that both the Central Government and the Delhi Police decided not to charge a fee for security at IPL matches in the national capital, deeming it a policy decision that does not warrant judicial interference.
“We do not find any merit in the petitioner’s claim that a notional amount is due from Respondents 1 and 2 to the Union of India or the Delhi Police for past matches held until 2022. Therefore, the petition is dismissed,” stated the bench, which also included Justice Manmeet PS Arora, in an order dated May 28.
The court clarified that its ruling should not be interpreted as preventing the Delhi Police from imposing fees for past or future security services if they choose to do so.
The petitioner contended that the Delhi Police should have charged the BCCI and Delhi Capitals for security provided during IPL matches, asserting that since IPL matches have been held in Delhi since 2008, collecting fees for all past matches would amount to a significant sum.
The counsel for the Centre responded that there are no outstanding payments due from the BCCI and Delhi Capitals to the Delhi Police, as no security fee had been negotiated.
The court referenced cases where the Maharashtra Police had negotiated a security fee for IPL matches in Mumbai, leading to a PIL in the Bombay High Court over alleged non-payment, which was resolved after payment was made. Similarly, the Rajasthan High Court addressed the issue of unpaid dues for security services rendered by the Rajasthan Police during IPL matches.
“However, in this case, as acknowledged by the petitioner, the Union of India and Delhi Police chose not to charge any fee from Respondents 1 and 2 for the IPL matches held in Delhi. Thus, there are no outstanding dues,” the court said.
“We conclude that no directions, as requested in the current petition, are warranted,” the court declared.
