Delhi HC orders provisional certificate for IPL at Ferozeshah Kotla

Clearing the way for hosting of IPL season 8 matches at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium in the capital, the Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to give a provisional occupancy certificate to the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) for the tournament.

A division bench of Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said: "We direct the SDMC to issue provisional occupancy certificate by tomorrow (Friday)."

The court took into note the submission of the DDCA that it has paid Rs.1.5 crore towards property tax dues.

The court's direction came on a plea by the DDCA seeking provisional occupancy certificate to hold five IPL matches at the stadium. The first match of Delhi Daredevils will be held on April 12.

The court, however, imposed a condition saying the DDCA will get the certificate only after procuring a no objection certificate for the stadium from the fire department and assistant electrical inspector.

It further asked the DDCA to furnish an undertaking stating that it will be held accountable if any untoward incident takes place due to non-compliance with any statutory norms by it.