The Madhya Pradesh High Court (Indore Bench) in the case Rakesh Yadav vs. State of Madhya Pradesh and others observed and has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation plea filed before it alleging that illegality and fraud has been committed in the sale of tickets for the 3rd ODI Cricket Match between India and New Zealand which is to be played in Indore on January 24.
The bench comprising of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Facts of the Case: One Rakesh Yadav had moved the High Court seeking conduct of the match under the observation of an Independent Authority/ Tribunal/Retired Justice of the High Court wherein alleging that illegality, fraud, and tax evasion which had been committed by the respondent no.2-M.P. Cricket Association through its officers.
In the said case, fraud had been committed fraud had been committed by highly influential persons with the intention to put the public exchequer at loss. It has also been submitted by him that huge black marketing of tickets had taken place as the entire 28,000 tickets were sold within three minutes.
Further, it has been claimed by him that the image of cricket has been maligned and the citizens/ sports enthusiasts have been deprived of the pleasure of watching live cricket in the stadium and while looking at the fact that the tickets are being black marketed.
The Senior counsel appearing for the State Cricket Association informed the Court that the PIL plea had been filed only on the basis of one newspaper cutting by a local eveninger being accompanied with certain unsubstantiated and irrelevant emails sent by the petitioner to the State Government alleging irregularities in the working of respondent no.2. Therefore, association also filed a balance sheet finally audited by a Chartered Accountant for showing that no financial irregularities have been committed by respondent no.2. Thus, it was also submitted before the bench that taxes have been paid to the Municipal Corporation from time to time.
The association prayed for the dismissal of the PIL plea, while questioning the credentials of the petitioner. Observations Made By Court: The court while considering the facts and circumstances the averments in the PIL plea and response submitted by the respondent, the court observed that though the petitioner claimed to be a public-spirited person, socio-political worker, sports enthusiast, etc. No document has been filed by him whatsoever to show his bonafide.
Further, it has been noted by the court that a detailed reply had been filed by the state cricket association with supporting documents to show that the taxes have been paid from time to time and by making of all the mandatory compliance.
In the said view, the court stated that the PIL plea had been for the purpose of gaining popularity and that PILs based on newspaper reporting are not maintainable. Accordingly, the court dismissed the PIL with a cost of Rs. 25K.
