Man fined Rs 25,000 after he petitioned high court to ban IPL auction

Sudhir Sharma claimed that the auction promoted practices like corruption.

In an interesting turnout of events, a man filed public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the auctioning of cricketers in the IPL. Apparently, the IPL auction was compared to illegal human trafficking as the players are purchased and sold through a bidding process. However, the Delhi High Court didn’t seem to be impressed with his petition.

A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice C Hari Shankar dismissed the plea by Sudhir Sharma. They stated that it is “not a Public Interest Litigation but a ‘Publicity Interest Litigation”. Moreover, the judge also decided to fine him Rs 25,000. The bench also remarked the playing for the IPL teams in fact has raised the prestige of the cricketers.

Glaring violation of the law and the legal system claimed the petitioner

“Playing for these teams in fact raised their prestige,” the bench remarked adding that none of the contentions of the petitioner was true. The plea of the petitioner claimed that the players go through the auctioning process where they are purchased and sold through bidding corporates. Moreover, Sharma had further claims to make in his plea.

He even stated that practices like the IPL auction promoted corruption, nepotism and human trafficking by selling of players through open bidding on national television. His petition even mentioned about the corruption involved in open bidding, selling and purchasing of humans in “a glaring violation of the law and the legal system” which promotes human selling, bidding, auctioning, etc. in ‘flagrant violation of the law.

IPL Auction – One of the most successful option processes

The IPL is a widely followed league all across the globe. Fans from all around the world enjoy the tournament and it is a dream for many players to take part in it. Even years, hundreds of players enrol themselves for the IPL auction. However, only a few are shortlisted and only a part of them are picked by the franchises.

The IPL auction is one of the most interesting cricketing events and is also broadcasted live on television. There is a great level of excitement that goes about it and even the current and former cricketers enjoy being a part of an event of this magnitude.