The Supreme Court on Tuesday restrained the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association from using the 'I', 'J' and 'K' stands at MA Chidambaram stadium for IPL matches beginning next month. A Bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and N.V. Ramana made it clear that the cricket association should make a proper application to the Chennai Corporation detailing the demolition plan of the three stands to the extent of the violation. The court said the application should be considered by the civic body expeditiously.
The association had argued that they should be allowed to use the stands as an interim measure. The court was deciding on a plea by the association to allow usage of the stands for the IPL matches. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority had earlier told the Supreme Court that the existing gymnasium building in the Madras Cricket Club must be demolished for the grant of approval for the three stands, constructed without approval. “It would be inequitable to impose demolition of the MCC stand/building as a precondition to grant approval for the stands. If the gym building was required to be pulled down immediately, the same would become unusable by the members till a new construction comes up in its place. As the plan for approval was pending for four years, it will affect the cricket fans and Tamil Nadu would stand deprived of hosting any international events,” the association had argued.
