Feroz Shah Kotla cleared to host India-South Africa Test

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday paved way for Delhi and Districts Cricket Association to hold India-South Africa Test match and directed Municipal Corporation of Delhi to issue provisional occupancy certificate.

DDCA had approached the high court on Tuesday, seeking permission to host the fourth Test match at Feroz Shah Kotla, but was opposed by SDMC which said that it should not be allowed to owing to lack of clearances. However, the relief to the DDCA could be temporary as the HC also appointed Justice Mukul Mudgal to oversee the affairs of Test scheduled to begin December 3.

The court said it can appoint the observer but cannot ask him to look after the revenue of DDCA or the payment of property or entertainment tax.

India will go unchanged for the third Test of the ongoing four-match Test series against South Africa. The court said the remuneration of Justice Mudgal for the assignment will be decided by him and DDCA will have to pay the same.

The court said that this would be the last time that DDCA was being issued a provisional occupancy certificate and the association would have to obtain the requisite clearances for any future games.

DDCA has moved the court for the interim relief as the SDMC had on Monday evening rejected their application for a no-objection certificate or POC to hold the match. But it was extended by a day after last-minute requests from DDCA.

Allegations have been levelled on DDCA, accusing the cricket governing body of Delhi of financial fraud and structural irregularities, among others.

The Rs 24.45 crore entertainment tax slapped by the government on the state body, which seemed to be the bone of contention in hosting the match will be be up for discussion tomorrow and Chauhan is hopeful that everything will fall into place.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, on 12 November, appointed a three-member panel to probe alleged irregularities in DDCA.