A new PIL has been filed against Mullanpur Stadium, the new home ground of Punjab Kings in IPL 2024. The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium at Mullanpur is entangled in legal intricacies. A public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed against its construction. The petition, driven by concerns over environmental regulations, challenges the stadium’s development to prescribed standards.

Background of the PIL

The PIL petition, rooted in environmental apprehensions, highlights the construction irregularities surrounding the Mullanpur Stadium. Specifically, the petition underscores the failure to comply with essential environmental conditions, particularly concerning its proximity to a bird sanctuary.

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Environmental Concerns Surrounding the Stadium

One of the primary contentions raised in the PIL revolves around the failure to obtain requisite environmental clearances for the stadium’s construction. Situated within a 10-kilometre radius of a bird sanctuary, the stadium’s development allegedly disregarded environmental protocols, raising significant concerns regarding its impact on the local ecosystem.

Impact on IPL Franchise Punjab Kings

The legal battle surrounding the stadium bears significant implications for the IPL franchise Punjab Kings, which has designated the Mullanpur stadium as its new home ground. Potential repercussions from the court’s decision could result in a halt to IPL matches at the venue, thereby disrupting the team’s scheduled fixtures for the ongoing IPL 2024 season.

Mullanpur stadium has hosted only one IPL match so far, which was played between home team Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals on 23rd March. Punjab Kings won this match by 4 wickets.

Supreme Court’s Directive and its Implications

In accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive, any construction within the vicinity of a protected area necessitates prior environmental clearances from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). The alleged oversight in securing these clearances has prompted legal scrutiny. Now this is raising pertinent questions regarding the stadium’s compliance with regulatory mandates.