Bombay High Court has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to refrain from scheduling matches in drought affected districts of Maharashtra. A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice MS Sonak said BCCI should factor in difficulties like shortage of water before finalising venue for IPL matches. The court was hearing a bunch of petitions raising concern over villages facing severe drought conditions every year and seeking directions for government to initiate measures to tackle the issue. The BCCI is also a party to the litigation as one of the petition had alleged that over 60 lakh litres of water was being used for ground management despite drought in the state. Stating that BCCI cannot simply lift its hands up and let the franchises suffer; the court directed BCCI not to arrange matches where there is shortage of water supply.