Supreme Court issues notice on Rs 92 lakh Ramlila ground fee dispute

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on a plea by Shree Ram Dharmik Ramlila Samiti challenging a Delhi High Court order directing it to pay over Rs 92 lakh for using an open ground near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for Ramlila celebrations. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale sought responses from SAI and other respondents. The matter will be heard next on November 26.

The Samiti had booked the ground for 34 days in 2023 at a concessional rate of Rs 1.5 lakh per day, later reducing it to 24 days. The Delhi High Court ruled that the society had unfairly blocked the online portal, preventing another society, Dakshinii Delhi Dharmik Ramlila Samiti, from booking the same dates. The court directed SAI to recover charges at the highest rate of Rs 2.25 lakh per day for the original 34-day period, totaling Rs 92.29 lakh plus taxes.

In its appeal, the Samiti argued that the High Court effectively rewrote SAI's tariff policy, which prescribes a lower rate for longer bookings. It also noted that Dakshinii Samiti had itself used the venue at concessional rates in previous years and had not sought recovery of enhanced charges.