Nagpur: Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) is once again in the news for the reasons it is best associated with – no permission for holding matches! In the fresh such instance VCA did not obtain necessary permission from police department for organising one-day international match between India and Australia at Jamtha stadium. The complaint to this regard has been filed by activist Ankita Shah.
Meanwhile in another complaint filed by social activist Kamlesh Shah filed with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against the CP and collector Sachin Kurve, has been forwarded to head office since both are Class-I public officials and have been accused of corruption.
Ankita’s complaint dated October 28 sought action against VCA under section 188, 336 of IPC, section 131-A, 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, section 15 of the Environment (protection) Act, 1986, and the Noise Pollution (regulation and control) Rules, 2000. “VCA had submitted an application dated September 4 with the special branch seeking permission to hold the match on October 1. DCP of special branch Nilesh Bharne sent a letter to VCA on September 7, directing the latter to comply with 21 points. Bharne said compliance of all these points were necessary to prevent any untoward incident during the match. Bharne also noted compliance with all these points was required for security purpose,” she said.
Ankita added VCA did not comply with all 21 points raised by Bharne before the match. “Also, Bharne or police department did not give any permission for the match. Still, VCA went ahead and hosted the match. Bharne or police department did not take any action against VCA after the match,” she said.
Ankita said VCA cannot comply with all 21 points raised by the police department. “VCA does not have occupancy certificate to bring Jamtha stadium into use. VCA even lacks proper building plan sanction to construct the stadium. It does not have environment clearance or consent to operate from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board.
Still, VCA is holding national and international matches at the stadium since 2008. I, along with president of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan NGO Prashant Pawar, and RTI activist TH Naidu had lodged complaint with Sadar police station on March 11, 2016. No action has been taken on the complaint in last 20 months,” she said.
As reported by TOI on October 4, Kamlesh had lodged a complaint on October 2 with the ACB, demanding an offence and inquiry against Kurve, CP, VCA and its members Prakash Dixit and Vijay Pitale. On October 26, superintendent of police (ACB) PR Patil sent a letter to director general of ACB seeking directions on the complaint. “Kurve and CP are class-I public service officials. Therefore, the complaint has been forwarded for necessary directions,” Patil said.
