Fourth Test to stay in Delhi

Mudgal to oversee conduct

The fourth and final Test between India and South Africa will remain in Delhi. The decision was taken by Delhi High Court which appointed Justice Mukul Mudgal as an observer to oversee the conduct of the Test at Ferozeshah Kotla stadium from December 3 to 7.

The HC has also directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to issue the provisional occupancy certificate for the stadium, the contentious issue. A bench headed by Justice B D Ahmed observed that it does not want to penalise the players and cricket-loving public by not allowing the Delhi District Cricket Association to host the match.

“Without going into the merit of the matter, it would be appropriate that an observer is appointed to oversee the affairs of test match and to ensure that DDCA takes requisite steps for compliance of order. In our view, Retd. Justice Mukul Mudgal will the appropriate person. Accordingly, we request Justice Mudgal to accept the assignment,“ the bench said.

The development forces the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to sanction DDCA an advance of Rs 10 crore for the conduct of the match. The BCCI will have to treat this as an exceptional case and release the grant although the DDCA is yet to submit its annual report. In a recent letter to BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, Ravinder Manchanda had sought the release of Rs 10 crore stating that “You must have received the balance sheet for the year 2013-14.“

The BCCI at its AGM had de ided that no state unit will be granted its due fund till its accounts were audited by the board-appointed auditors. It said that Delhi and District Cricket Association is being given the last opportunity to get all necessary clearances from the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and no objection certificate from Land and Development Office and completion certificate from South Delhi Municipal Corporation by March 31