New Delhi: The primary objective of sports complexes is to promote sporting activities, and this cannot be diluted by excessive commercialisation, Delhi High Court has observed while agreeing to examine a plea highlighting the growing use of sports arenas for private and commercial events across the city.During a hearing on Monday, Justice Jasmeet Singh underlined the need to strike a balance between permitting limited commercial activities and protecting the interests of sportspersons and members who visit facilities such as Siri Fort Sports Complex (SFSC) and Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium for sporting purposes.The court was hearing a petition filed by a permanent member of SFSC, seeking judicial intervention against private functions and large gatherings being held in a portion of the complex that has been leased out by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to a private entity. The petitioner alleged that such events were disrupting regular sports activities and violating the norms governing the complex.Earlier, the court issued notice to the DDA and sought its response. On Monday, Justice Singh clarified that while commercial activity is not impermissible per se, it cannot override the core purpose of sports complexes or infringe upon the rights of those who use these facilities for playing sports.The HC also questioned DDA on allegations that alcohol was being consumed in violation of SFSC rules.Appearing for DDA, advocate Prabhsahay Kaur assured the court that the authority had clearly instructed SFSC management that alcoholic beverages could not be served outside the designated area allotted to a fine-dining restaurant operating within the premises.Senior advocate Puneet Mittal, representing the petitioner, countered that birthday parties and late-night events continued to be organised even after permissions were granted to serve liquor at the restaurant.HC allowed Mittal’s prayer to make Sports Authority of India (SAI) a party to the plea so that it can answer allegations on commercial misuse of JLN and Dhyanchand Sports Complex.The petition seeks a direction to govt/DDA to remove all commercial encroachments, artificial turf and any other non-permissible landscaping and adhere to rules and regulations in SFSC.It also seeks an order restraining authorities from permitting private functions or large gatherings at the complex, particularly beyond 8 pm, revising operational timings in line with environmental and residential norms, and restraining the issuance of future tenders for new food and beverage outlets on the premises.
