SC warns BCCI, gives a day to comply with Lodha directions

SC will pass interim order on Friday, if the BCCI refuses to give any undertaking.

The Supreme Court has come down heavily on the Board of Control for Cricket in India over not completely complying with the recommendations of the Lodha Panel.

The Apex Court, in the BCCI vs Lodha hearing on Thursday, also gave the Board an ultimatum to unconditionally implement all the reforms suggested by the Lodha Panel for reforming the cricket body.

The Court also said that that it will pass the order on Friday, if the BCCI fails to given an undertaking. 

"Stop wasting time. Give an undertaking that you will abide by the recommendations or we will pass an order," Chief Justice of India TS Thakur said. 

The SC also observed that it was mulling the appointment of new set of administrators to govern the Board, superseding the current top brass, to implement the recommendations of the Lodha committee in full.

The Court has also observed that either BCCI elect new administrators or the Lodha Panel give the Board more time to fall in line.

Justice TS Thakur also questioned BCCI officials' qualification as well as the financial transactions made by the Board.

The Chief Justice of India, Thakur observed that BCCI should have exercised transparency in funding state associations

According to NDTV, the Supreme Court told the BCCI: 'You can't transfer Rs 400 crore overnight. Must have transparent policy on funds to states.”

In reply to this, the BCCI told the Court that the matter dates back to 2015-'16 when Star and Sony had given compensation, which was to be given to the state associations.

Justice Thakur further told the BCCI: “Writing that we have high regards for this court is fine but this respect had to be shown in your deeds.” 

Earlier, in its response in the Supreme Court, has refuted allegations of non-compliance with Justice RM Lodha-led panel's recommendations, saying that "records of 40 mails" exchanged with Justice Lodha will be submitted before the apex court.

The BCCI has so far refused to implement the changes recommended by the Lodha committee.

Image: BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke

Photograph: BCCI/Twitter