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SC raps board for disbursing money to states: BCCI vs Lodha panel

The court told the Board of Control for Cricket in India that it should have waited for the SC-appointed Lodha panel to form guidelines for disbursal of funds for releasing Rs 400 crore to state associations at a meeting on September 29.

“I think we are forced to come to a situation where the BCCI is asking for their suspension by this court,” said Chief Justice of India TS Thakur. Under one of the many Lodha committee recommendations, the BCCI can only clear past dues but not make plans for the future at its meetings.

But the board defended its decision, saying the amount released was meant to clear due expenses in the 2015-16 financial year and not the future.

The Lodha panel – formed last January as a follow-up to the court-appointed probe into the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal – had complained to the SC that the BCCI was stalling any effort to change its old system of functioning.

The former SC judge also complained that the board flouted suggested guidelines at its annual general meeting on September 21, which included taking a decision to form a new national selection committee.

The BCCI sought to stick to its old system, saying the Tamil Nadu Societies Act governs it and the law allows certain privileges such as adopting a resolution with majority votes.

Its response says board members were told the panel’s report has to be accepted in totality. But the members, including government nominees, insisted on a vote and the resolution was rejected “overwhelmingly”.

In response to the status report submitted by the former Chief Justice Lodha-led panel, Supreme Court lambasted BCCI for not “falling in line” and warned them of dire consequences of face contempt of court charges. Catch live updates of BCCI vs Justice Lodha panel’s hearing at the Supreme Court.
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