Sports Minister keeps mum on SC's criticism of BCCI chief Thakur

Sports Minister Vijay Goel has refused to comment on the possibility of Supreme Court initiating contempt proceedings against BCCI President Anurag Thakur, saying that his ministry has nothing to do with the matter.

"My ministry has nothing to do with the case at the Supreme Court relating to the BCCI and Lodha Committee. It is a matter between the BCCI and the Supreme Court. I have nothing to say on that," Goel said at the sidelines of an event to train sportspersons on digital banking and use of mobile banking as a means of cashless transaction in New Delhi on Thursday.

Goel was asked about his views in the wake of the Supreme Court holding both Thakur, also a BJP Member of Parliament, and BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke "prima facie" liable for contempt and perjury for not implementing Lodha Committee recommendations pertaining to reforms in cricket administration.

"We have formulated a Code of Conduct by all the sports federations and many of them have been following it. The Sports Ministry expects all the sports federations to follow this Code," he said without elaborating, when asked further on the SC coming down hard on Thakur on Thursday.

Cricketers Unmukt Chand, Parvinder Awana, Deepak Hooda, Pawan Negi and wrestler Sandeep Tomar were among the sportspersons who were present at the event.

- Report of Lodha Committee on Reforms in Cricket - Final Report, Volume 1

- Report of Lodha Committee on Reforms in Cricket - Final Report, Volume 2

IMAGE: Sports Minister Vijay Goel

Photograph: PTI