New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS) Hundreds of members of the Siri Fort Sports Complex here Tuesday moved the Delhi High court, challenging the move to close the complex from Aug 16 till the Commonwealth Games end Oct 14.

The venue is to host events like badminton and squash matches during the Games Oct 3-14.

Atul Wadhera, a Supreme Court lawyer who filed the petition on behalf of the Siri Fort Sports Complex members, said it was unjustified on the part of the complex secretary to deny hundreds of members the facilities of the complex.

‘There are only two events to be held for the Commonwealth Games and there are about 29 activities in the complex due to which people come here on a daily basis,’ said Wadhera.

Apart from the retired people, even children are affected as they have been denied entry to the children’s park.

‘People are not allowed to jog and play football and engage in other activities. For the sake of two events, you are stopping people from availing facilities and participating in other activities,’ the petition said.

It also sought immediate opening of the complex as an interim measure, allowing people to use the jogging tracks, children’s park and the football ground. More then 70 percent of the members of the complex are retired and use the complex for engaging themselves in various activities.

The petition will come up for hearing before the division bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra Sep 1.

–Indo-Asian News service

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