Delhi High Court restricts the number of complimentary passes for fourth Test

Feroz Shah Kotla will host the fourth Test between India and South Africa

The Delhi High Court has clamped down on the number of complimentary passes to be handed out during the fourth & final Test of the freedom series between India and South Africa on December 3. The Feroz Shah Kotla was earlier given the go-ahead by the high court, after a week’s speculation.

But the number of complimentary passes has been toned down to just 10,000. The total capacity of the Feroz Shah Kotla is close to 40,000. Former Delhi high court judge, Mukul Mudgal, who will oversee things for the fourth Test, has said that free tickets could be distributed for school children, during the course of the Test match, reports ESPN Cricinfo.

Complimentary tickets or passes are usually reserved by the state cricket association for special dignitaries or guests during every match. During Sachin Tendulkar’s 199th Test, only 6500 tickets were up for sale to public in Kolkata. The rest of the tickets were distributed as ‘complimentary’ passes. The total capacity of Eden Garden is close to 65,000 plus.

School children will be provided free tickets: Mudgal

Mukul Mudgal suggested that free tickets could be distributed to school kids, who couldn’t afford to buy tickets.

"We have given a proposal, subject to the approval of the High Court. Two stands at ground level, free tickets to school children, preferably of weaker section. This is subject to High Court permitting us to do so.”

"We are also trying to see children are provided some edibles. We never know that a Kumble, Tendulkar, Dravid or a Bishan Bedi might emerge from them, because these are students who can never afford a Test-match ticket. So we want them to be given an opportunity on all five days," he continued.

Justice Mudgal was specially appointed to oversee the realm of things, for the fourth Test, as the DDCA still reels in the issue surrounding non-payment of entertainment tax. Mudgal has also secretly appointed a deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

"All the tenders that will be issued for the Test match will be verified independently by a former deputy CAG. In order to make the process fair and transparent, all tender documents will be checked and scrutinised by deputy CAG. We will not like to name him," he said on Sunday.