IPL games should be moved out of Maharashtra, says SC

A bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur was initially inclined to allow the matches in Maharashtra with some strict conditions like the stadium authorities will not be permitted to use "even a drop of potable water" for their matches.



However, the bench also comprising Justices R Banumathi and U U Lalit dismissed the petition and said that let the matches be shifted out of the state.

The bench, during the hearing, sought response from the lawyers about the claim that 60 lakh litres of water would be required for maintenance of the grounds on the eve of IPL matches which were scheduled to be played in the state.

The court later dismissed the plea after having noted it would be better to shift the matches out rather than to create a situation where all kinds of regulations would be needed.

The dismissal of the petition would lead to relocation of five IPL matches which were to be played at the home grounds of IPL franchises -- Mumbai Indians and Rising Pune Supergiants.

The Bombay High Court had on April 13 ordered shifting of all IPL matches scheduled in Maharashtra after April 30 to another state in view of the severe drought in the state.