NEW DELHI: After reports emerged that the Vijay Hazare Trophy match between Delhi and Andhra at the Chinnaswamy Stadium would be held behind closed doors - denying fans the chance to watch Virat Kohli play in the tournament after 15 years - another twist has now emerged in the matter.

Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh confirmed on Tuesday that permission has been denied to host the match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on December 24. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had earlier requested approval to conduct the game behind closed doors.

State Home Minister G Parameshwara had constituted a committee to assess the matter, and the panel carried out an inspection of the stadium on Monday before the decision was taken.

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Matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium were halted after a stampede outside the venue during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) IPL victory celebrations on June 4, an incident that claimed 11 lives.

"There may be some confusion among you (media) whether there is permission to hold a cricket match or not. There is no need for confusion. As you are aware, our committee had gone there yesterday. Based on the committee's recommendation, permission has been rejected. So there is no match there tomorrow," Singh told reporters.

"The committee had gone to the stadium yesterday on the instructions of the Home Department....as per the report of the department, permission has not been granted for the match tomorrow. The committee has given a detailed report, but as of now the permission is not there."

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Singh refused to share the details of the report, stating that he is one of the members of the committee.

The committee headed by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) commissioner, consisted of police commissioner and officials of the PWD, Fire and Health departments and Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM).

The Home Minister on Monday had held a meeting with KSCA office bearers, senior officials and police officers at the Vidhana Soudha, regarding holding cricket matches at the stadium, and had asked the panel to visit the facility and provide feedback regarding allowing the cricket contest.

Noting that Bengaluru City Police Commissioner had already written a letter to KSCA stating that it is necessary to follow the 17-point recommendations, Parameshwara on Monday had said that the committee will review what has been complied with and inform the government.

Matches shifted to BCCI CoE

All Vijay Hazare Trophy matches originally slated for the M Chinnaswamy Stadium have been relocated to the BCCI Centre of Excellence after the Karnataka government issued a directive citing security concerns. A Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) official confirmed the development to Cricbuzz.

(With PTI Inputs)