A Lawyer Vandana Shah has filed Public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court seeking damages from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to use towards procuring medical requirements for the COVID-19 pandemic.

She filed her plea on Tuesday and asked whether the IPL is an essential service and also sought a direction to the BCCI to pay Rs 1,000 crore as “damages” and make donations from their profit to hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.

In her plea, Shah mentioned, “The BCCI should be held responsible for conducting a tournament in such sensitive times. The petition said even though the IPL players and staff are in the bio-bubble, the possibility of getting infected by coronavirus cannot be ruled out and in such a situation, the spread would be higher as players do not follow the social distancing norms.”

“Is IPL an essential service? I am also seeking a direction to the BCCI to pay Rs 1,000 crore as damages and also make donations from their profit to hospitals treating COVID-19 patients,” Shah said.

IPL 2021: Cricket fraternity reacts as BCCI decides to postpone IPL 14 with immediate effect

The petition also mentions, “From April 14 till April 27 India is almost in a state of internal emergency and some cricketers have also tested positive for coronavirus. Seemingly, Australia has asked their cricketers to be sent home. Some have already returned. In India, cases have reached an earth-shattering record of 3.4 lakhs a day. Other countries have to rush to supply oxygen and other medical supplies to India.”

The plea will be heard on May 6.

Interestingly hours after the PIL was filed, the BCCI postponed the IPL 2021 until further notice.

“The BCCI does not want to compromise on the safety of the players, support staff and the other participants involved in organising the IPL. This decision was taken keeping the safety, health, and wellbeing of all the stakeholders in mind,” the BCCI said in a statement.  

(PTI inputs)