‘Go and enjoy the second match also’: Madras high court refuses to entertain plea to postpone IPL matches in Chennai

CHENNAI: Madras high court on Tuesday refused to entertain a public interest litigation seeking to postpone IPL matches in Chennai till the conclusion of the Tamil Nadu assembly election on the apprehension that the model code of conduct (MCC) might be violated during the matches."One match is already over, nothing happened. You (petitioner) watched the match, right? You enjoyed it, right? Go and enjoy the second match also," the first bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan said.“It is for the election commission to act. They are taking steps. If there is any violation, you can approach the commission. Your (petitioner) plea says ensure no violation happens. It is all anticipation and apprehension.

A PIL cannot be entertained on anticipation or apprehension, the court added.The judges made the observations while dismissing as withdrawn a plea moved by T Prabhakaran, a resident of Triplicane assembly constituency where the matches are scheduled.The petitioner wanted the court to direct the authorities to strictly enforce the MCC to ensure that there is no public display of any political party’s symbol, logo, flag, posters or any other material during the match.

As per the fixtures released by the IPL organisers, two matches would be held at MA Chidambaram Stadium -- between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings, and CSK and Delhi Capitals, on April 3 and April 11.According to the petitioner, considering the fact that the matches are viewed worldwide, there is also a viable possibility that the political parties contesting the election may see to it that their supporters gather inside and outside the stadium in order to ensure propaganda for their respective parties and, in such circumstances, the same may result in clashes inside the stadium.