Recently, the Delhi High Court stepped in to examine the increasing use of public sports complexes for private parties and commercial events, cautioning that such activities cannot undermine their primary purpose of promoting sports. The Court’s intervention comes amid concerns that recreational spaces meant for athletes are being steadily transformed into event venues, raising questions about access, discipline, and regulatory oversight.
The matter arose from a petition filed by a member of the Siri Fort Sports Complex, alleging that portions of the facility leased by the Delhi Development Authority were being routinely used for private gatherings, including late-night functions, disrupting sporting activities and violating governing norms. The Petitioner also pointed to similar concerns at other venues, including stadiums managed by the Sports Authority of India. While the DDA maintained that limited commercial use was permitted and regulated, particularly restricting alcohol service to designated areas, the petitioner argued that such permissions were being misused, with events continuing beyond permissible limits and encroaching upon spaces intended for sports.
Justice Jasmeet Singh emphasised that while ancillary commercial activity may be allowed, it cannot override the foundational objective of such facilities. Emphasising the need to preserve their core function, the Court observed that “the primary objective of sports complexes is to promote sporting activities, and this cannot be diluted by excessive commercialisation.” It also raised concerns over alleged violations of rules regarding alcohol consumption and late-night events. The Court issued notice and allowed the impleadment of the Sports Authority of India to respond to similar allegations across major stadiums, signalling a deeper scrutiny of commercial practices within public sports infrastructure.
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