The ICC has given the DDCA time till 12 noon today to get the required clearance to use the RP Mehra Block for the World Twenty20 semifinal scheduled to be held at the Feroz Shah Kotla on March 30.
DDCA treasurer Ravinder Manchanda on Tuesday said that the International Cricket Council has given the state association time till tomorrow to get permission for the R P Mehra Block, which has a seating capacity of around 2,000.
"Today we have given our representation and plea to Justice Mudgal (DDCA observer) that the semifinal be held at Kotla and public spectators be allowed to sit in the old pavilion (R P Mehra Block). The ICC on the other hand has given us time till 12 noon tomorrow to sort out the issue," Manchanda said.
Earlier, the DDCA withdrew its petition seeking a direction to South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to issue the requisite certificate for the block, which is at the centre of a controversy.
"We have given our representation to Justice Mudgal. As per the High Court directive we can approach Mudgal to seek a solution," said Manchanda while adding that Bangalore has been kept as standby for the semifinal.
The R P Mehra Block has not been used in the World T20 matches that has taken place at the Kotla so far. The ICC is concerned about the prospect of the matches being held at Kotla in front of empty stands, especially from the broadcast point of view.
During the hearing, advocate Sangram Patnaik, appearing for DDCA, told the bench that issue with the R P Mehra block is for the semi-final match only.
To this, the bench observed, "You (DDCA) are answerable to the law. You undertook a huge risk. You knew about the consequences of the action which you have taken. You make sure that you get the certificate. Nothing prevents you."
When Sethi said SDMC has already granted occupancy certificate to the DDCA, the bench said, "It is clear that occupancy certificate for the R P Mehra block was not granted."
During the hearing, Patnaik referred to the mails received from ICC and BCCI and told the bench that "let Justice Mudgal take the decision".
The bench, however, said, "He (Mudgal) cannot take a decision. He is only assisting this court so that matches can take place here."