Bhubaneswar: A public interest litigation (PIL) seeking cancellation of the forthcoming India versus South Africa T20 One Day International (ODI) Cricket match to be played at Barabati Stadium, was filed in the Orissa High Court today.
The PIL was filed by one Sanjay Nayak of Bhuban in Dhenkanal district.
Alleging that Barabati Stadium does not have adequate fire safety measures Nayak sought the High Court’s direction to cancel the match scheduled to be held on June 12.
The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), Odisha government and 13 others have been named as respondents in the petition.
It may be mentioned here that the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) in May 26 had ordered for provision of necessary fire safety measures at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
The OHRC had issued the order after Cuttack DCP Pinak Mishra submitted his report pointing out serious lacunae in the fire safety arrangement at the Barabati Stadium.
The rights body had sought reports from DCP Cuttack and Secretary Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) by May 26 on fire safety arrangements in the Barabati Stadium for the T-20 ODI Cricket match scheduled to be played on June 12 between India and South Africa.
The OHRC had sought the reports in response to a petition filed by rights activist Nishikanta Mishra latest by June 26.
Mishra had drawn the Commission’s attention to the T-20 cricket match to be held at Barabati Stadium between India and South Africa.
He had pointed out that Barabati Stadium having a capacity of 44,000 spectators doesn’t have a fire safety system.
He had also drawn the attention of the Commission to the letter of the Fire Officer, Central Range who has requested the OCA to make an application for a fire safety certificate under the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules 2017 read with Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety (Amendment) Rules-2019.
