CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has declined to urgently hear a plea seeking directions to reschedule IPL matches scheduled in Chennai, despite the State Assembly election period.
The petitioner, T Prabhakaran, a resident of Triplicane, has moved the High Court contending that the conduct of IPL matches on April 3 and April 11, 2026, may adversely impact the smooth conduct of the Assembly elections.
The petitioner thus sought a direction to the authorities to either reschedule the IPL matches in Chennai to a date after the completion of the election process or, in the alternative, to strictly enforce the Model Code of Conduct by prohibiting the display of political symbols, flags, or campaign materials within and around the stadium.
With the IPL match contested between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) scheduled for April 3, the petitioner mentioned the matter before the Bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan, requesting an urgent hearing of the case.
The Chief Justice observed, "What is the problem if the match is conducted tomorrow (April 3)? What provision of law is violated if the matches are conducted?" The Bench further stated that if the petitioner is under no compulsion to watch the matches, he may choose to stay at home. The Bench declined to entertain the request for an urgent hearing.