New Delhi, Dec 24: The Delhi High Court has sought a response from the sports ministry on a PIL alleging that politicians were "misusing" crores of rupees of government fund for their own publicity.

A division bench of Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice Manmohan issued a notice last week to the union home ministry, Sports Authority of India and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and asked them to file replies within four weeks.

The public interest litigation (PIL) by Rajiv Boolchand said politicians were misusing vast sums of government money on "publicity stunt" instead of focussing on the achievements of sportspersons.

The high court has listed the matter for hearing on March 12, 2014.

"The government funds are being misused for personal gain through other channels in the name of sports," the petition said.

The PIL sought concrete rules to stop the projection of political personalities through such advertisements in the print and electronic media.

The plea also urged the central government to take control of the BCCI, the richest sports body in the country.

The high court has listed the matter for hearing on March 12, 2014.

IANS