Vinod Singhal vs State of Rajasthan and Others

Heard the learned counsel for petitioner. Petitioner has preferred this Public Interest Litigation with a prayer that the Rajasthan Cricket Association and the Rajasthan State Sports Council may be directed to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct IPL-6 matches at S.M.S. Stadium, Jaipur, for the year 2013. It has further been prayed that in case, the Rajasthan Cricket Association and the Rajasthan State Sports Council do not enter into a Memorandum of Understanding, then their recognition and affiliation may be withdrawn and the State Government may be directed to take over the charge of these bodies and conduct IPL-6 matches in Rajasthan.

Submission of the learned counsel for petitioner is that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (hereinafter referred to as ''the BCCI''), has written a letter dated 24.01.2013 (Annexure-7) to the Rajasthan Cricket Association, Jaipur to submit the MOU/Agreement between the Rajasthan Cricket Association and the Sports Council within 15 days of the meeting, so that further action can be taken by the BCCI for allotment of international matches in Rajasthan. However, the Rajasthan Cricket Association as well as the Rajasthan State Sports Council are not entering into MOU/Agreement, therefore, there is every likelihood that international matches will not be allotted to the Rajasthan, depriving the public of the State. She, therefore, submitted that necessary directions are required to be issued to the Rajasthan Cricket Association as well as the Rajasthan State Sports Council.

During the course of arguments, learned counsel for petitioner submitted that petitioner may be granted liberty to approach the Chief Secretary of the State of Rajasthan with a representation and the Chief Secretary may be directed to look into the matter, personally, and decide the grievance raised in the representation, as early as possible, looking to the urgency involved in the matter.

Prayer is allowed.

The writ petition is, accordingly, disposed of with liberty to petitioner to file a representation in the matter along with a copy of order of this Court and the Chief Secretary of the State of Rajasthan is directed to consider and decide the same, as early as possible, but not later than a period of three days from the date of receipt of representation. It is needless to mention that in case there is any necessity, the Chief Secretary may call the representatives of the Rajasthan Cricket Association and the Rajasthan State Sports Council, before taking final decision on the representation of the petitioner.