PIL Based On Newspaper Report Not Maintainable: MP HC Dismisses Plea Alleging Illegality In Sale Of Tickets For Ind V NZ ODI Match

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed the Public Interest Litigation alleging illegality and fraud committed Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association in connection with the international cricket match to be held in Indore between India and New Zealand.

The bench of Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Prakash Chandra Gupta dismissed the PIL while holding that a PIL on the basis of newspaper reporting is not maintainable.

The Court also imposed Rs. 25,000 cost on the petitioner for wasting the time of the Court.

“…looking to the fact that it is settled proposition of law that PIL on the basis of newspaper reporting is not maintainable, this Court finds no reason to entertain the petition and the same deserves to be and is hereby dismissed with cost of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) imposed on the petitioner for wasting the precious time of this Court.”, the Court held.

Brief facts of the case are that the petitioner who is a socio-political worker, sports enthusiast and convener of "M.P. against MPCA Corruption" filed a complaint before the State authorities in respect of transparency in seat allotment/ticket allotment for the international cricket match to be held in Indore.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted that huge black marketing of tickets has taken place when the portal for sale of tickets through online portal was opened and within three minutes, it crashed.

It was submitted that the entire 28,000 tickets were sold within three minutes.

In view of the aforesaid, counsel for the petitioner prayed that one-day international match to be held between India and New Zealand be conducted under the observation of an independent authority.

Senior Advocate Brian D Silva appeared for Petitioner whereas Anand Soni, Additional Advocate General appeared for State. Senior Advocate Ajay Bagadia appeared for MP Cricket Association.

The Court observed that no document has been filed to show the bonafide of the petitioner.

The Court added that the petitioner had come before the Court on the basis of one newspaper cutting.

“The PIL has been filed by the petitioner without verifying the authenticity of the allegations leveled against the respondents and that too without any supporting documents. The same has been filed only with the purpose of gaining popularity.”, the Court noted.

Thus the Court dismissed the PIL.

Cause Title- Rakesh Yadav v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors.

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