The Supreme Court is expected to pass an order on the ongoing BCCI-Lodha controversy on Friday.[/caption]Internet Desk: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) top brass is likely to face the consequences as it failed to give an undertaking in front of Supreme Court that it will implement all the recommendations of Lodha Panel. The apex court warned the BCCI about superseding its top hierarchy, if it doesn’t ‘fall in line’ and agree to implement all the recommendations by the Lodha Panel. A newly constituted Special Bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud is likely to pass the order on Friday, i.e., October 07.
Amicus Curiae Gopal Subramanium, in his arguments on Thursday, supported the replacement of the top brass of the BCCI.
The Supreme Court bench in its observation offered two options – BCCI to elect new administrators or the Lodha Panel give the Indian cricket board more time to fall in line and implement all the recommendations.
The apex court asked the Amicus Curiae to identify possible replacements if it were to oust the current office-bearers of the Indian cricket body.
The BCCI today pleaded about its helplessness in following certain directives of the Lodha Panel. The BCCI said that the recommendations of the Lodha Panel were voted against by its members.
To this, the apex court said: "No need to persuade any state association who are not ready to reform. Don't pay money to associations who don't comply by you. Money disbursed to such associations should be returned."
The Lodha Panel had earlier told the Supreme Court that the Indian cricket board had absolutely no interest in implementing reforms. They informed the court about many mails sent to BCCI remained unanswered and the board had resorted to distorting truth in front of the media. BCCI, however, refuted allegations of 'non compliance' by the Lodha Panel, submitting details of mails that were sent to the commission.
The panel also spoke about the September 30 deadline, by when the board had not implemented at least seven reforms that included one-state, one-vote, age limit of 70 years, cooling-off period of three years. Instead in its Special General Meeting held on September 30 it decided to continue with the five selectors and retaining the powers of the president and secretary as per the earlier constitution of the board.
The bench wasn't pleased with the BCCI for casting aspersions on the Lodha Panel.
"It's not an ordinary committee; it's headed by a former Chief Justice of India (RM Lodha). If there was any grievance, the BCCI could go back to the committee," it noted.
The court also came down heavily on the board for disbursing large amount of funds for its member organizations without seeking the approval of the Lodha committee. "BCCI must have have transparent policy on money disbursement. You cannot transfer 400 crore rupees to states overnight" it noted.
To this the Indian cricket board, which was represented by senior advocate, Kapil Sibal, replied saying that it had only disbursed funds relating to matters dating back to 2015-16. The matter pertained to the discontinuing the Champions Trophy and the subsequent compensation received from Star TV as well as Sony, and which needed to be distributed to the state associations.
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