On Monday, an appeal was filed before the Delhi High Court to stop all the matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which was being played in the national capital amidst the widespread transmission of COVID-19 pandemic.[Karan S Thukral v. UOI]. The appeal also asked for an inquiry into reasons for prioritizing IPL over public health. As per the suitor, it was arbitrary, unreasonable, and unjustified action on the part of the concerned authorities i.e., the Union Government, Board of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI), IPL Governing Council, Delhi and District Cricket Association, and the Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal to manage the IPL matches in the city.
“On one side, people are dying due to a lack of hospital beds and are seen waiting in queues to cremate their loved ones, while on the other end, in lieu of applying assets to its excellent use, the respondent(s) has deemed it appropriate to go on and support the conduct of the IPL,” Thukral has said in his petition.
As per the suitors, Karan S Thukral and Inder Mohan Singh, the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium should be used for COVID care centres so as to reduce the direct contact and plight of common people.
