In a heartening development for the Indian Cricket League, the Delhi High Court has asked the giant public sector firms, including Air India and Indian Oil Corporation, not to dismiss its employees who joined the Indian Cricket League. The court was passing an interim order on an application filed by Essel Sports, the promoter of ICL, seeking a direction to BCCI not to intimidate players who join the league.

Several of those who signed up with the ICL are employees of public-sector corporations and it was brought to the court's notice by the ICL counsel, Harish Salve, that two such companies had served termination notices on their employees for joining the unofficial league.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, who passed the order, said players should not have to suffer in the fight between two organisations. "Why should players have swords hanging over their head?"

The court also issued notices to the federal government - which effectively owns the public-sector companies - and the BCCI, among others, and asked them to submit their replies within three weeks. The court posted the matter for hearing on October 5.