SC threatens contempt against BCCI officials

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 21

Angry over the non-implementation of the Lodha panel report by BCCI, the Supreme Court on Thursday threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against its three top officials if they do not give suggestions on the cricket body's draft constitution as mandated by its judgment.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra expressed strong displeasure over the "unnecessary attitude" and “obstinate behaviour” of acting BCCI president CK Khanna, acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary and treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry, saying it led to non-framing of the amended BCCI constitution, despite the top court's order.

"If the aforesaid three office-bearers do not give suggestions in accordance with the judgment of this court, there shall be very serious consequences," the Bench said.

"Because of their unnecessary attitude and obstinate behaviour, the amended constitution has not been framed. We will issue contempt… Despite our order, nothing was done," it said.

As ordered by the court on August 23, the three office-bearers were present in the court during the hearing.

The Bench said the draft constitution shall include the suggestions of the Justice RM Lodha Committee in its entirety so that a holistic document can be placed before it for a final decision, it said, adding suggestions received from various stake holders, including Railways, Services and Universities should be incorporated.

The Supreme Court on July 18, 2016 accepted most of the recommendations of Justice RM Lodha Committee for BCCI reforms in the wake of large-scale maladministration in the richest cricket body.

It had approved the Lodha panel recommendations such as one state-one vote, one member-one post and an age-cap of 70 years on those occupying BCCI posts. It has requested Parliament and the Law Commission to consider suggestions to bring BCCI under the purview of Right to Information Act and legalise betting in cricket — the most popular sport in India. On behalf of Committee of Administrators (CoA), senior advocate Parag Tripathi told the Bench that the three officials were changing the entire game by somehow stalling the implementation of the Lodha panel recommendations.

As Tripathi said the trio was not cooperating with the CoA headed by former CAG Vinod Rai in preparing the draft constitution of BCCI, the Bench reacted angrily.

It asked all the stakeholders to give their suggestions in three weeks for the purpose of drafting of BCCI’s constitution and posted the matter for further hearing on October 30 when the three BCCI officials will have to be present in court.