Delhi HC provides sigh of relief to ICL

New Delhi, Aug 27: The Delhi High Court today issued notices to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and others on a petition filed by the Indian Cricket League (ICL), directing the nation's cricket Board not to intimidate the players willing to join the breakaway league.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul restrained the BCCI from taking any action against cricketers interested to join the Essel Group-promoted ICL and also issued notices to BCCI, the Centre and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for not allowing the ICL to use the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.

The court in its interim order added that employers cannot terminate players' services for aligning with any cricket body.

The next hearing of the case is scheduled to take place on September 28.

Earlier, the ICL filed a petition at the Delhi High Court against the BCCI not to stop it from using the National flag.

The rebel league pleaded that it cannot be refrained from using the Indian flag or the name of the country.

It accused the BCCI of threatening the players who have joined the League.

The petition has also accused BCCI of intimidating players and other state organisations affiliated to the Board.

The ICL sought that the BCCI be stopped from interfering with its attempts to sign players for the tournament it plans later this year.

It said the BCCI was not the sole representative of the nation's cricket.

After the launch of ICL, the board has prevented state cricket associations from offering their grounds to the new league.

It had also withdrawn benifits, including the pensions of former and current cricketers associated with the ICL.

UNI