The Supreme Court on Monday removed Anurag Thakur as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not complying with the SC directive for implementing the Lodha committee reforms. The apex court has also removed Ajay Shirke from the post of BCCI Secretary. The court questioned why prosecution should not be initiated against Thakur. They have also sought a reply from him in this regard.
SC said that Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke did not comply with its order given on July 18, 2016 order. The apex court will replace the top brass of the BCCI with a panel of administrators. The matter will now be heard on January 19.
The SC had earlier hinted at instituting a perjury case against Thakur for filing a false affidavit. The court had said that Thakur is guilty of having committed perjury by writing to the International Cricket Council (ICC) which, in view of amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam, amounted to outside interference.
#BCCI SC to replace top brass of BCCI with panel of administrators, seeks names; to decide on 19th Jan.@IndianExpress
— Utkarsh Anand (@utkarsh_aanand) January 2, 2017
Reacting to the judgement, Justice Lodha said, “this was to happen, and now this has happened. Had submitted 3 reports before Supreme court, even then it wasn’t implemented. Once committee’s reforms were accepted by SC in its 18 July order, it had to be implemented, this is a logical consequence.”
Also Read: Anurag Thakur may face perjury charges for lying to Supreme Court, but what is perjury?
SC said that the BCCI and state board officials failed to implement its orders to bring transparency and accountability in cricket body.
“One should understand once the SC order has come, it has to be obeyed by all. The majesty of law has worked. It’s the victory for the game of cricket and it will flourish. Administrators come and go but it’s for the benefit of the game,” Justice Lodha said.
Former Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Mukul Mudgal also claimed that Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirkey have borne the consequences of BCCI not obeying SC orders.
#WATCH: Victory for cricket, administrators come & go but ultimately its for the game’s benefit says Justice Lodha on Thakur/Shirke removal pic.twitter.com/mmic3v09zx
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 2, 2017
The apex court has appointed Fali Nariman and senior SC lawyer Gopal Subramanium as Amicus Curiae to find out who would be the BCCI officials.
The Saurashtra Cricket Association Secratary Niranjan Shah said,”Whatever Supreme court says is final, will have to abide by that.”
Whatever Supreme court says is final, will have to abide by that: Saurashtra Cricket Association Secy Niranjan Shah on Thakur/Shirke removal pic.twitter.com/tKdR7Hc8Sb
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 2, 2017
Former Indian cricket team captain Bishan Singh Bedi also welcomed the order. “This will be very good for Indian sports and cricket in particular,” he said.
Further, Ajay Shike, on his removal from the post of BCCI secretary, told ANI that they would wait and watch the new dispensation running cricket in India. he said,”I don’t have much to say as I haven’t read the judgement yet, but I don’t have any problem. Let’s see how the new dispensation runs cricket and Indian supremacy in cricket.”
Don’t have to say much as I haven’t read judgement,but I don’t have a problem-Ajay Shirke to ANI on his removal from post of BCCI Secy by SC
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 2, 2017
Let new dispensation run cricket and maintain supremacy of India in cricket: Ajay Shirke to ANI on his removal from post of BCCI Secy by SC
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 2, 2017
