World T20 games at Delhi still in doubt after Delhi High Court rap

NEW DELHI: The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) hit a major roadblock in its attempt to host the World T20 matches when the Delhi High Court did not revive its application to stay a 1997 order that deemed construction in the old clubhouse area illegal and open to demolition.

The old clubhouse area houses some of the expensive ticketholders as well as the president’s box along with the media box.

The petition was filed in 1997 by DDCA member NC Bakshi and the association had taken a stay order on it.

“They had continued like this for all these years. However, the case was dismissed after the DDCA didn’t respond to the court,” says Bakshi.

PLEA NOT ADMITTED

The DDCA would go to revive the application every time the case was dismissed. However, on Thursday, the court did not admit the revival application.

“The previous DDCA dispensation had not done the formalities as asked by the court. However, this situation had existed even before the match against South Africa and we managed to pull it off. But yes, this is a setback,” said DDCA treasurer Ravinder Manchanda.

The writ application filed by Bakshi will come up for hearing on March 15 and the picture will be clear after that.

“The purpose of my application is to just point out the illegalities and see to it that things are done in a legal manner,” said Bakshi.

Technically, the old clubhouse is open to demolition. The DDCA could approach the Supreme Court or even settle on locking the structure and using the rest of the ground.

“We are trying to work out the legalities,” added Manchanda.