SC issues show cause notice to BCCI officials

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued show cause notice to BCCI officials to explain why its judgement on implementing the Lodha panel recommendations for reforms in the cricket board was not complied with.

 A three-judge bench presided over by Justice Dipak Misra also summoned BCCI secretary Anirudh Chaudhary on September 19 after senior advocate Gopal Subramanium, acting as amicus curiae, contended that in the last Annual General Body Meeting of the board, the officials took no concrete decision to ensure implementation of the directions.

 “They have adopted stratagems after stratagems. After July 18, 2016 verdict, different state boards including Railways and the Union government were heard, six months time was given for implementation. The Committee of Administrators also gave them chance but they don’t want to implement a single direction,” he said.

 “There is a judgement...why did not you not comply with it. There will be contempt,” the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, warned the BCCI officials even as senior advocates P K Bali and Kapil Sibal contended that there were certain grey areas like one-state one-vote, age bar and separation of responsibility which have to be examined.

 Representing the BCCI secretary, Bali said, “The officials alone cannot implement all the directions as it was to be carried out by state associations.” He also objected to the recommendation on cooling off period between two terms of an official.

 Solicitor-General Ranjit Kumar, representing Railways, contended the body has been kept out of board though 10 out of the 15-member women’s cricket team were from Railways.

 Subramanium sought direction for adopting a draft Constitution prepared by the Committee of Administrators led by former CAG in terms of the previous judgement and the orders by the apex court.

 The court directed the COA to prepare the draft and seek suggestions from the parties. It issued notice to BCCI officials C K Khanna and Amitabh Chaudhary and Anirudh Chaudhary.

 It put the matter for further consideration on September 19. Meanwhile, the court directed the COA to file an affidavit to explain how the present system of awarding media rights of IPL matches were better than e-auction, on a petition by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.