The Supreme Court of India removed BCCI President Anurag Thakur and BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke from their posts on Monday, saying cricket is not a personal turf or fiefdom.
It said Thakur had rendered himself unfit by obstructing the court’s orders. The bench led by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur also issued a show cause notice to Thakur, under charges of perjury and contempt of court, for allegedly lying under oath in his attempt to block implementation of measures proposed by the court-appointed Lodha committee.
The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, held that Thakur had, by his actions and conduct, rendered himself unfit for continuance as President of BCC. He had obstructed and impeded the implementation of the directions contained in the judgment. Moreover, Thakur is liable to be proceeded with for contempt of court for having obstructed and impeded the orders of this court. Thirdly, prima facie judges were of the view that Mr Thakur had made statements on affidavit before this court which are false to his knowledge.
The court said it would replace the top brass with a panel of administrators. Until the names of the administrators are decided, BCCI’s senior vice-president, if he is not disqualified for any other reason, shall perform the duties of the president. The court will examine the names for the panel of administrators on January 19.
According to the judgment, the committee of administrators would have the power to issue all appropriate directions to facilitate due supervision and control, clarifying that all other BCCI office-bearers may continue, subject to their filing undertakings to abide by the court’s orders on reforms. The bench also reiterated its directive that a person shall be disqualified from being a BCCI office-bearer if he is not an Indian citizen; has turned 70; is a minister or a government servant; has been charged by a court of law in a criminal case; holds any office or post in a sports or athletic association or federation apart from cricket.
