HC questions rationale for reducing police cover dues for cricket matches; suggests 'something fishy'

The Bombay High Court has raised concerns over the Maharashtra government's decision to reduce and waive police protection charges levied during cricket matches in the state with a retrospective effect from 2011. The court questioned the justification behind this decision, stating that "something is amiss". The government had claimed that the decision was made to benefit the state financially and to bring the security fees in line with those charged in other states. However, the court pointed out that comparing matches held in cities like Mumbai to those held in cities like Kanpur or Lucknow was not justified, as the security expenditure would vary. The court also noted that the organisers of the matches were aware of the charges at the time they were held, and it was unfair to revise the fees after a decade. The bench has directed the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Mumbai Cricket Association to file their responses to a public interest litigation filed by RTI activist Anil Galgali challenging the state's decision. Galgali's plea highlighted that the Mumbai police were yet to recover arrears of ₹14.82 crore from the MCA for IPL matches held from 2013 to 2018. The plea argued that the government's decision to reduce the fees with a retrospective effect from 2011 had waived the arrears owed by the organisers. The plea sought the high court's intervention to quash the circular issued by the government and ensure the recovery of the arrears along with appropriate interest. The matter has been posted for further hearing on December 17, as the court continues to examine the details of the case and the implications of the government's decision on police protection charges for cricket matches in Maharashtra.

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