IPL 2020: Advocate Files Petition Seeking Cancellation amid Coronavirus-Scare

Guwahati, March 11, 2020:

The fear of Coronavirus has led to the filing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Madras High Court seeking a cancellation of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) slated to held from March 29 to May 24.

The 13th edition of the IPL, which is scheduled to be held in seven states of India, which also are some of the most affected places. The opener will be played between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

The PIL, filed by Advocate G Alex Benziger, is likely to come up before a division bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Krishnan Ramaswamy on Thursday.

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This development comes two days after the Maharashtra Health Minister confirmed that discussions are on in the government on whether to postpone the IPL amid rising number of Coronavirus cases.

"As on date, as per the website of the World Health Organisation, there was no specific medicine or to prevent or to treat the COVID-19," the petitioner said.

According to the petitioner, the coronavirus was spreading all over the world rapidly and creating a huge epidemic disaster. The petitioner said he had sent a representation to authorities not to allow the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conduct IPL T20 cricket matches. However, as there was no response from the BCCI, he filed the present PIL, the petitioner added.

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Meanwhile, Karnataka Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar has also written a letter to the Centre seeking advice on the same. "I have written to the Centre saying there are IPL matches scheduled to be held in Karnataka, and that Maharashtra has already taken a decision in this regard. We have asked for the Centre’s guidance on what action we should take," Karnataka Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar was quoted as saying.