Recent Cases related to Sports Law
Zee Telefilms & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors. (2005) 4 SCC 649
Judges:
Justice N. Santosh Hegde, Justice S.N. Variava, Justice B.P. Singh, Justice H.K. Sema, Justice S.B. Sinha
Facts of the case:
Zee Telefilms Ltd. is a sports channel that has subscribers throughout the World. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had cancelled telecast rights granted to Zee, in an arbitrary fashion. The board cancelled the entire tender process to determine telecasting rights for all matches played in between 2004 to 2008. The petitioner, Zee Telefilms Ltd. approached the Hon’ble Court under Article 32 against BCCI regarding the cancellation of telecasting rights.
Issues:
- Whether or not the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was ‘State’ within the meaning of Article 12?
- Whether or not the writ petition filed under Article 32 by Zee Telefilms Ltd. against the BCCI is maintainable?
Judgement of the case:
In the present case, the Apex Court of the country ruled that BCCI does not fall within the ambit of Article 12. For the same reason, it was held that the writ petition was not maintainable and it was accordingly dismissed.