Lodha panel moves SC seeking removal of BCCI top brass

The panel further requested for an urgent hearing which Chief Justice of India, TS Thakur, set for October 6.

In its verdict on July 18, the apex court directed the BCCI to implement the recommendations. The BCCI filed a review petition against the order, which is still under scrutiny at the Supreme Court.

September 8 was the deadline for the cricket body and its state associations to adopt the Memorandum of Association and amend their constitutions. However, the Board has called an emergency Special General Meeting only on September 30 to discuss the implementation of the Lodha panel recommendations.

The BCCI held its Annual General Meeting on September 21 and flouted the guidelines in the various decisions taken, including the naming of a new selection committee.

Lodha Committee had set the BCCI two deadlines — September 30 to make constitutional changes and December 15 for the Board to form a nine-member apex committee that will replace the working committee.

“BCCI thinks it is law unto itself. We know how to get our orders implemented. BCCI thinks it is the lord. You (BCCI) better fall in line or we will make you fall in line. the conduct of the BCCI is in poor taste,” said the CJI after the Lodha panel’s report was adduced before him.

Justice Thakur added: “BCCI, it seems, will go to the extent of defying court orders. We had been anticipating such disregard from the Board.

We don’t appreciate such tactics by the BCCI. We have no difficulty in passing orders to make sure our previous orders are implemented.”

The CJI gave BCCI time till October 6 to furnish explanations regarding their reported non-compliance.

According to the report by the Lodha panel, the BCCI was stalling reforms at every stage and was flagrantly violating the directions issued by the apex court.

It complained that the Board had ignored court orders and the panel’s recommendations on number of selectors, manner of conducting meetings and preparing a roadmap for time-bound reforms.

The panel sought action against BCCI’s top brass, including its president Anurag Thakur, for breaching court orders.