High Court Reserves Orders On Pleas Challenging Formula 4 Street Car Racing Proposed To Be Held In Chennai

Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq reserved orders after hearing the petitioner, the State, and the organizers.

The petitioner had challenged the street racing alleging that it was legally unsustainable, illegal, and in contravention of the laws of the land. It was also submitted that conducting such an event at the expense of 242 crores was nothing but an attempt to gain publicity and only burdened the State exchequer.

It was also submitted that the event was to be held at the heart of the city consisting of main roads such as the Anna Salai, Kamarajar Salai, Flag Staff Road, and Sivananda Salai which could in turn affect the movement of traffic and completely disconnect the southern parts of the city from the northern parts causing inconvenience and hardship to the people of the city.

The petitioner also pointed out that the office of the Commanding Officer of the Army, Dakshin Bharat area was also in this area and thus, the conduct of the race would affect the functioning of the Army and their airspace.

The petitioner had also questioned the State's decision to spend 42 crore this year and commit 15 crore annually for the next two years for the Formula 4 Indian championship and Indian Racing League. Claiming that Racing was not a welfare activity, it was argued that only private parties were getting benefitted from the race.

The organisers on the other hand submitted that a similar race held in Hyderabad earlier this year had boosted the economy. It was informed that the State would also be earning revenue through a share of income derived through sponsorships, sale of tickets, and broadcasting rights.

Case Title: Dr. Shri Harish v Union of India and Others

Case No: WP 33687 of 2023