KTK has challenged a Constitutional body: Mayor

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Kochi Corporation, at loggerheads with IPL debutants Kochi Tuskers Kerala over entertainment tax, on Thursday said the refusal of entry of its officials into Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Wednesday for inspection during a match amounted to challenging the Constitutional body.

"Corporation officials were made to stand outside the stadium for three hours when the KTK-Deccan Chargers match was on last night and they had to return without inspection," Corporation Mayor Tony Chamanny told reporters here on Thursday.

Strong action would be taken, he warned.

Chamanny pointed out that the 50 per cent tax waiver would not have been given if there had been any issues with the team management.

Another IPL match is scheduled at the stadium on Saturday against Delhi Daredevils.

Chamanny said KTK officials had brought match tickets to the Corporation office at 4.45 PM on Wednesday to fix its seal without a complete statement. They were asked to bring it again this morning.

The Mayor had earlier alleged that the franchisee was committing lot of irregularities in ticket pricing to evade tax.

The hospitality box at the stadium had remained shut in Wednesday's match and representatives of official sponsors, the guests and host team owners had to sit in chairs near the fans.

On Wednesday, police had chased away some spectators who tried to gain entry into the near empty stadium without tickets.