Supreme court forces Indian cricket boss to resign

In its last Status report, the Committee stated that since the Supreme Court had accepted its recommendations nearly in toto, those who came under the purview of its recommendations stand disqualified or cease to exist. The court asked all BCCI vice-presidents to commit that they would accept all the recommendations. Why otherwise will it still retain Thakur and Shirke as office bearers on it’s website?

“The BCCI has lost face internationally after this entire saga”, Gavaskar said adding” we are in for a complete new era for Indian cricket”.

Joint secretary of the BCCI Amitabh Choudhury will assume the role of interim secretary of the BCCI while Thakur’s role will be filled by the most senior vice president who meets the eligibility criteria.

The biggest worry for state associations, however, is that the implementation of the Lodha panel’s recommendations will get a number of state units and office bearers in trouble.

“We need to emphasise that the turf of the cricket field is not a personal turf or fiefdom”, the order, written by Justice Chandrachud, said.

“Everybody has a problem”. The reforms were made binding on the BCCI in July 2016, but the board kept defying them.

The BCCI’s sacked secretary, Ajay Shirke, said he had no problem with the court order. It had sought the appointment of GK Pillai, former Union home secretary as the observer of the BCCI to supervise its administration. Or till the BCCI conducts fresh elections? But being the BCCI president gave Thakur a global stage. “How can people who are not eligible according to the Lodha recommendations continue while those two cannot?”

The Supreme Court had given the board time until December 3 to implement the reforms suggested by the Lodha panel. After the order on January 2, however, several state officials indicated their willingness to fall in line.

Bishan Singh Bedi (former Indian cricketer): This is a very important decision for Indian cricket and for all sportspersons. It is applicable for those who have cumulatively completed nine years in the BCCI, that’s what the verdict says.

The apex court said it will pass a separate order on January 19 for appointing the administrator.