World T20: Matches in Feroz Shah Kotla Continue to Hang in the Balance

Decks appear to have been cleared for holding the World T20 matches at Feroz Shah Kotla grounds here after the Delhi High Court on Monday said grant of permission was entirely within the domain of the authorities concerned. (Feroz Shah Kotla Gets Lifeline for World T20)

"Permissions are entirely within the domain of concerned agencies and not up to this court to deny or grant permission," a bench of justices S Muralidhar and Vibhu Bakhru said, adding "this order be not construed as if this court is interfering in the matter". (DDCA Must Comply With Safety Measures to Host World T20: High Court)

The court's order came after South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) told the bench that it has issued an occupancy certificate to DDCA for the stadium and that it was fully satisfied that the deviations have been rectified by the association in terms of the sanctioned plan of 2005.

However, it was also made clear by the SDMC that occupancy certificate was for the entire stadium barring R P Mehra block, which falls within the 100 m of a protected monument and thus lacks ASI clearance.

The bench said the issue of R P Mehra block was between DDCA and SDMC to sort it out.

Senior advocate Rajiv Nayar and advocate Sangram Patnaik, appearing for DDCA, told the court either they would try and get a clearance for the block by June 30 or they would demolish it, as they have no hesitation in doing so.

SDMC's counsel Gaurang Kanth said the block was built without a sanctioned plan and if DDCA does not rectify it, the corporation proposes to issue a show cause notice to the association.

Meanwhile, Delhi government counsel Rahul Mehra asked how occupancy certificate was granted by SDMC when the R P Mehra block, which is also within the stadium, was built without a sanctioned plan.

"Occupancy certificate has to be for the entire stadium," he said.

After hearing the arguments, the bench asked SDMC how the RP Mehra block was still standing despite there being no sanctioned plan for it.
"If there is a building without sanction plan, you (SDMC) have nothing more to do with it (the block)," the court asked.

It listed the matter on April 1 and directed DDCA to ensure recommendations given by Justice Mukul Mudgal, appointed by the high court to oversee the functioning of the association, be complied with.