Supreme Court Tells BCCI Not To Fund State Associations, Till They Abide By Lodha Terms

Supreme Court toughened its stance against the BCCI today by barring them from disbursing any funds to state cricket associations, even for match purposes, till the time they decide to abide by the Justice RM Lodha panel recommendations on reforms within the functioning of the Indian cricket board.

BCCL

The apex court has now sought an undertaking on affidavit from BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke before the Lodha panel in two weeks' time by December 3 on how they want to implement the suggested reforms for the transparent functioning of the board.

Today, a bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur and comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and L. Nageswara Rao asked Lodha panel to appoint independent auditors to scrutinise all BCCI accounts. The judgment also directed the Lodha panel to ask the auditors to scrutinise the high-value contracts given by BCCI.

The bench also asked the panel secretary to send a copy of the apex court order to the ICC chairman Shashank Manohar. The apex court, on October 17, had reserved its order on implementation of the Lodha Committee recommendations for massive structural reforms in the cash-rich sports body.

The court had asked BCCI president Anurag Thakur and its General Manager (Cricket Operation) Ratnakar Shetty to explain the allegation that ICC CEO Dave Richardson was asked by BCCI to issue a letter that Lodha panel's directions tantamount to government interference.

BCCL

Defending the two cricket administrators, senior advocate Kapil Sibal has said "BCCI is being portrayed as a villain. It's like all wrong things are happening due to BCCI".

The bench had noted that Thakur in his affidavit had made a reference that Manohar had expressed his views that the appointment of CAG nominee in the apex council would amount to governmental interference before that stand was rejected by the apex court in July 18 verdict.

The apex court had perused the affidavits filed by Thakur and Shetty in which the 41-year-old BCCI president had out-rightly denied having asked ICC CEO Dave Richardson to state that the appointment of 3-member committee headed by former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha committee would "tantamount to government interference" in BCCI's functioning. The bench had noted that Shetty in his affidavit had said that no letter was sought from the ICC CEO as was alleged.

BCCL

The apex court had on October 7 directed Thakur to explain by filing a "personal affidavit", the allegation "whether he had asked the CEO of the ICC to state that the appointment of Justice Lodha Committee was tantamount to government interference in the working of the BCCI".

The apex court had said the 13 State Associations, to whom the payment has already been disbursed, shall not appropriate the amount, except after they have passed a resolution to abide by reforms suggested.

Here are the top-10 recommendations issued by the RM Lodha Committee:

1. Separate governing bodies for IPL and BCCI

2. Limited autonomy for IPL governing council

3. No BCCI office-bearer can hold 2 positions simultaneously.

4. No BCCI office-bearer can be minister or government servant.

5. Three-year tenure for office-bearers, limited to three terms.

6. One State, one association with a right to vote.

7. Ethics officer (former HC Judge) to decide on conflict of interest.

8. Formation of apex council with 9 members to run IPL.

9. Proposal to setup players' association.

10. Recommendation to legalise betting.