SC clears BCCI draft rules with key tweaks

Satya Prakash

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 9

The Supreme Court on Thursday approved the much-awaited draft constitution of the BCCI with certain changes, giving a go-by to “one state, one vote” principle and diluting cooling-off period norm recommended by the Justice RM Lodha committee.

The verdict pronounced by a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra restored full memberships to cricket associations of Saurashtra and Vadodara in Gujarat, Mumbai and Vidarbha in Maharashtra, Railways, Services and Association of Indian Universities in view of their contribution to cricket in India. Now, Gujarat and Maharashtra will have three associations each having full membership of the BCCI.

“These associations have a long and abiding history of nurturing talent for the game of cricket in India. History is replete with their contribution to the cause of cricket. These associations have produced players who have brought laurels to their states and the nation,” said the Bench that also included Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud.

Their full BCCI membership was cancelled after the Lodha Committee’s recommendation on “one state, one vote” was implemented.

The Bench also diluted the cooling-off norm. It said the cooling-off period would not start after every three-year term of an office-bearer. Instead, it would be imposed after two consecutive terms in the BCCI or a state cricket association or both, which effectively comes to six years.

The Bench also increased the number of selectors from three (recommended by the Lodha panel) to five. The verdict dilutes many recommendations of the Lodha panel that were imposed on the BCCI by judicial orders. A compliance report will have to be filed with the Supreme Court Registrar General within four weeks.

Verdict highlights

• ‘One state, one vote’ principle diluted
• ‘Cooling-off’ norm relaxed
• Full membership of Saurashtra, Vadodara, Mumbai and Vidarbha restored
• Railways, Services and Association of Indian Universities also get full membership
• SC orders to be complied within 30 days