High Court
Coronavirus: PIL filed in Madras HC against conducting IPL
MUMBAI: A PIL has been filed in the Madras High Court requesting the government not to allow the Board of Cricket Council of India from holding IPL in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
According to media reports, the PIL is likely to come up before a division bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Krishnan Ramaswamy on 12 March.
The petitioner said, “As per the website of the World Health Organisation, there was no specific medicine or to prevent or to treat the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) as on date.”
The petitioner also said that the virus has been spreading all over the world rapidly and creating panic across countries, according to media reports.
The virus that first appeared in Wuhan city of China has spread to over 46 countries and entered India earlier this month. Around 60 positive cases have been confirmed in India as of Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the country’s biggest cricketing event is scheduled between 29 March and 24 April with the first match being played between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings.
The most affected country in Europe is Italy, wherein over 10,000 confirmed cases have been reported as of Wednesday. “The Italy Federation League, one of the oldest leagues in the world, has been severely affected and the football games were being played behind closed doors with no fans allowed at any football ground until 3 April by the Italian government,” the petitioner said.
The media reports also mentioned that the petitioner had sent a representation to authorities not to allow the BCCI to conduct IPL T20 cricket matches.
High Court
Delhi HC blocks illegal IPL 2026 streams, backs JioStar rights
Court orders swift takedowns, expands crackdown on piracy apps
NEW DELHI: In a timely move ahead of the cricketing season, the Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to JioStar India Private Limited, clamping down on illegal streaming of the TATA Indian Premier League 2026.
The court passed ex parte ad interim injunctions in two separate suits, restraining rogue websites and mobile applications from broadcasting IPL matches without authorisation. The tournament is set to begin on 28 March, making the timing of the order particularly significant.
Recognising JioStar’s exclusive digital and broadcast rights for the IPL cycle from 2023 to 2027, the court observed that unauthorised streaming would infringe its statutory and proprietary rights, potentially causing irreparable losses.
In one case, the court directed several identified websites to immediately stop hosting or streaming IPL content. It also issued a dynamic injunction, allowing JioStar to flag new infringing platforms in real time, which must then be blocked swiftly by domain registrars and internet service providers.
In a parallel order, the court turned its attention to piracy through mobile apps, particularly Android-based platforms distributing content via APK files. A broader dynamic+ injunction was granted, extending to future variants, mirror links and related interfaces, signalling a tougher stance on evolving piracy tactics.
The court also directed domain name registrars to suspend offending domains and share registrant details, including KYC and payment information. Internet service providers and telecom operators have been instructed to block access within strict timelines, in some instances within 36 hours. Both the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology have been asked to facilitate enforcement through necessary notifications.
Noting the fast-changing nature of digital piracy, the court emphasised the need for real-time enforcement tools to keep pace with anonymous and constantly shifting networks. It also underlined the commercial impact of piracy on legitimate rights holders.
The ruling reinforces the judiciary’s firm stance on protecting intellectual property in the digital age. For viewers, it is a reminder to stick to official platforms as the IPL season kicks off under tighter watch.
