The Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) supported and justified the recomendation of Justice R M Lodha panel for large-scale structural reforms in BCCI. The SC seemed to be severely harsh on the cricket governing body.
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A bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice R M I Kalifullah questioned Karnataka as well as Haryana Cricket Association for opposing the suggestions by the Lodha panel for reforms in the BCCI and state affliated bodies. It was called recommendations as some of the findings of the committee were implemented by the BCCI during the deliberations itself and some were not implemented.
Lashing out at the functioning of the Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI), the Supreme Court has said that the board’s constitution was incapable of achieving the values of transparency, objectivity and accountability, and these could only be attained by changing it. “The Committee will be free to issue appropriate remedial directions”, said a constitution bench of Justice Anil R. Dave, Justice A.K.Sikri, Justice R.K.Agrawal, Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice R. Banumathi.
Subramanium said that if the constitution of the BCCI does not allow the values to be achieved then it could be said to be illegal as the cricket board is discharging a public function.
The bench said that the recommendations needed to be implemented now after counsel for the Haryana Cricket Association said the panel’s findings were mere recommendations and some of them can not be implemented.
He further contended that country has over a billion population and if the system is opened up as recommended by Lodha panel then BCCI can get more capable and efficient cricket administrators. “There should be time when you have to say enough is enough and pave way for others to take charge”, the bench said. He said every state has their own law relating to betting and gambling and it will not be feasible. But you want a government minister on board?
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Advocate Manish Tiwari, arguing for Bedi, Azad and another former cricketer Sameer Bahadur, also targeted the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for alleged irregularities.
