BCCI VS LODHA PANEL
New Delhi : A “defiant” and “obstructionist” BCCI was on Monday pushed to the backfoot by Supreme Court, which said its President Anurag Thakur and veteran official Ratnakar Shetty were “at odds” on the allegation that ICC’s indulgence was sought to state that implementation of Lodha recommendations and apex court directions tantamounted to government interference in its working.
“Thakur admits that he had asked ICC chairperson (Shashank Manohar) for a letter while Ratnakar Shetty’s affidavit says he had not asked. Shetty’s affidavit filed earlier is at odds with that of Anurag Thakur,” a bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud observed.
The bench, which reserved its order on the likely directions to be passed to the BCCI on implementation of the Lodha Committee recommendation for massive structural reform in the cash-rich sports body, took strong exception on the conflicting stand of Thakur and Shetty, General Manager (Cricket Operation), who were asked to file personal affidavits on October 7.
They were asked to explain the allegation that ICC CEO Dave Richardson was asked by BCCI to issue a letter that Lodha panel’s directions tantamounted to government interference. Pushing both the cricket administrators to a sticky wicket, the bench wondered “Whether an attempt was made to secure a letter from ICC to state that the presence of CAG nominee in the apex council would tantamount to government interference in the BCCI working.
“If this was so, can it be meant to say that it was an attempt not to comply with the recommendations of the Lodha committee and the Supreme Court judgement by stating that ICC is threatening to strip the membership of BCCI,” the bench said after perusing their affidavits and submission made by senior advocate Gopal Subramanian, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae in the matter.
“Do we go into inquiry and go to the bottom of it? At every stage, there appears to be defiance and obstructionist approach”, the bench said. Defending the two cricket administrators, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said “BCCI is being portrayed as a villain. It’s like all wrong things are happening due to BCCI”. “The remedy sought by Amicus Curiae will be worst than the disease,” Sibal said, adding that BCCI does not want to show wilfull defiance.
‘MORE TIME…’
Drawing continuous flak from the SC for not implementing the Lodha recommendations, BCCI President Anurag Thakur said the state units are currently confused about some of the suggestions and need more clarity before complying.
“You need 3/4th majority to adopt these recommendations. We have done our duty to go back to the state associations and they have to take a call on that. If you don’t have 3/4th majority, you cannot adopt these recommendations .Right now, there is more confusion in the state associations on how to implement the recommendations, I think we need more clarity,” he added.
