Mumbai, Dec 23: As per the expected line, Team Anna`s problem to find a place in Mumbai to protest peacefully against government`s unwillingness to make a strong Lokpal Bill has been continued as Mumbai Police and related authority have been denied permission for using the sports ground adjoining the Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

The sporting body Sports and Youth Services, which controls some sports grounds in Mumbai, stated that school cricket tournaments are planned between December 26 and December 30 on two pitches at the Azad Maidan.

Mumbai Police, which expects a very large crowd, had asked Team Anna to get special permission for this section of Azad Maidan as well to accommodate so many people. 

Earlier, Team Anna has been unable to get Mumbai's MMRDA grounds, which can accommodate a crowd of up to 1 lakh due to the steep rent. With over Rs 19 lakh to be paid for five days at MMRDA grounds, and no government concessions in sight, Team Anna has been inclined to use Azad Maidan.

Team Anna had also requested to the Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to waive or reduce the fees for using the MMRDA ground at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) but he didn’t respond after that India Against Corruption members on Thursday moved court as its last resort to get a bigger space for its agitation.

The petition will be heard by Justice Majmudar and Justice Bhatkar today, when hundreds of Anna supporters are expected to be present at the Bombay high court. The plea is against the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority and the state government.

Meanwhile, Anna Hazare has threatened to go to jail if he and his supporters do not get a place for agitation. He further said "even in Delhi, they put me in jail first and then gave us a place. The same will happen here, we will at least get a place in jail.