Report by: Ashishpuri
Famous singer Satinder Sartaaj has been summoned by the Kapurthala court to appear on October 30. Singer has been summoned because of a petition filed by senior lawyer and sportsman S.S. Malhi, who claimed that Sartaaj used the Guru Nanak Stadium for commercial purposes as he had organized a concert there on November 10, with most tickets reportedly sold out.
The petition emphasizes the stadium's significance as the only facility in Kapurthala for sports and practice, where many athletes get trained daily. Malhi argues that the stadium was constructed with public funds specifically to promote sports. He has highlighted that allowing a commercial event can disrupt regular practice of the local athletes and can compromise the facility's intended purpose.
His application names several parties, including Sartaaj and his production company, as well as various government officials, indicating a broader concern over the management of public spaces for commercial gain. He asserts that according to existing regulations, stadiums can only be rented out for charitable events, not for profit-making ventures.
In response, the District Sports Officer, Shashwat Rajdhan, mentioned that no official permission for the event has yet been granted and that the proposal is currently under review by the Director of Sports. The District Commissioner, meanwhile, acknowledged the receipt of an application for the event but confirmed that no permission has been issued to date.
Amidst these developments, reports indicate that 80% of the tickets for Sartaaj's concert have already been sold, creating a complex situation where the demand for the event contrasts sharply with regulatory oversight and public interest in preserving the stadium for sports.