Court Questions Government Waiver of IPL Police Fees

The Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra government to justify its decision to reduce and waive police deployment fees for IPL organisers. Activist Anil Galgali's PIL argues that the state unfairly reduced arrears owed by the Mumbai Cricket Association, while increasing water taxes on slum dwellers.

The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to explain its decision to reduce and waive police deployment fees for IPL organisers. The court expressed skepticism about the rationale behind the move.

Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar questioned why the government increased water taxes on slum dwellers while waiving fees for affluent cricket organisers. The PIL, filed by activist Anil Galgali, challenges the state's decision to cut police protection fees for Indian Premier League matches retrospectively from 2011.

The plea highlighted that arrears of Rs 14.82 crore are owed by the Mumbai Cricket Association for IPL matches held from 2013 to 2018. The court has asked the state to submit an affidavit justifying the fee reduction and waiver.

(With inputs from agencies.)