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Why Has Maharashtra Reduced Police Fees for Cricket Matches? Bombay HC Smells Something Fishy

Jatin

Court asks why Maharashtra waived security fees for cricket matches [Source: @gallinews/x.com]Court asks why Maharashtra waived security fees for cricket matches [Source: @gallinews/x.com]

The Bombay High Court has some serious doubts about Maharashtra’s decision to cut and even cancel security charges for cricket matches, dating all the way back to 2011. The court, led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, seemed far from convinced about the reasons behind it. In the Chief Justice’s own words, “something is amiss.”

The Maharashtra government said it reduced the fees to bring more matches to the state and added that other states charge way less. But the court wasn’t having it. 

Chief Justice Upadhyaya asked if it made any sense to compare the cost of hosting a big match in Mumbai to a smaller city like Kanpur or Lucknow. Clearly, they felt this move needed a closer look.

Activist’s Petition Brings Light on Unpaid Bills

RTI activist Anil Galgali brought the issue to court, arguing that this fee cut lets the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) off the hook for a whopping ₹14.82 crore. 

This money covers unpaid dues for IPL matches held between 2013 and 2018 at Mumbai’s Wankhede and Brabourne stadiums. According to Galgali, despite 35 letters from the police demanding payment, these dues remain unpaid.

Why Now? Why the Waiver?

The government’s lawyer, Milind Sathe, explained that cricket associations had protested about the high fees, saying other states charged much less. 

So, Maharashtra decided to lower the charges – but they didn’t just make it cheaper for the future; they made it cheaper for past games too. The court wasn’t pleased and pointed out that back when these matches were played, the MCA and others knew exactly what they owed.

The June 2023 Rule Change

The controversy centres around a Government Resolution (GR) issued in June 2023. This GR slashed the fees for T20 and One-Day matches from ₹66-75 lakh down to ₹25 lakh, and the charge for Test matches went from ₹55 lakh to a much smaller amount too. What raised eyebrows was the rule being applied retroactively, covering dues from 2011 onward, which wiped out the MCA’s unpaid balance.

Galgali’s petition asked the court to cancel this backdated waiver and demanded the police department pursue the MCA for those unpaid fees with interest. The court has now set a follow-up hearing for December 17 and asked both the BCCI and MCA to submit responses.

With big players like the MCA and BCCI in the mix, this isn’t just about old dues, it’s about fair play and accountability. The next court hearing might just decide whether the MCA has to pay up or if Maharashtra’s discount stays in place.