BCCI-Lodha war: Amicus curiae recommends sacking of BCCI top brass

The amicus curiae observed there was no option except to remove the top officials

By: Score Keepers |
October 17, 2016 4:11 pm

The Supreme Court has reserved its order on the future of Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) and its officials, as the board seeks more time to implement the recommendations. BCCI in India may see a radical change in leadership as amicus curiae appointed in the Lodha panel-BCCI war has recommended sacking the entire top brass. This means the Supreme Court can order the removal of the top officials including BCCI President Anurag Thakur. According to reports, it is recommended that Lodha panel will nominate the new administrators.

The amicus curiae observed there was no option except to remove the top officials and install new administrators in their places. Recently, Lodha panel had also advised removal of the top brass after they failed to comply with Lodha panel recommendations. The Supreme Court had slammed BCCI’s defiant attitude.

However, despite Supreme Court’s strict orders to implement the recommendations, the BCCI clearly refused to comply with the Lodha panel recommendations. During a general body meeting on Saturday, the BCCI maintained its stand saying that they were unanimously opposed to implementing Lodha panel recommendations in their entirety. Though, three state associations including Lalit Modi-led RCA have said they will accept the recommendations of reform.

“As per the Societies Act, we require a three-fourths majority to amend our constitution. If the members don’t agree, what can we do? If the Supreme Court gives us the immunity to pass the resolutions without a three-fourths majority, we will do it right away,” BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke told The Indian Express.

“Tomorrow, Kapil Sibal will be arguing our points on similar lines. During our meeting, the members have clearly stated that their voting is not based on whether the grants due to them (from the BCCI) are paid or not, but voting is based on principle and facts, and the practical difficulties in accepting the Lodha Committee recommendations in toto,” he said.

The Supreme Court had come down heavily on the BCCI in its September order. CJI TS Thakur had said that the court would make BCCI fall in line if they don’t. The court made the strong comment after Lodha panel submitted a report on non-compliance. The report said the BCCI was stalling reforms and violating court’s order. After the order, BCCI openly took a defiant stand.