New Delhi, Jan 20:
Names of members of the proposed panel to run the administration of cash-rich BCCI would be decided on January 24 by the Supreme Court, which today gave a ray of hope to some disqualified administrators modifying its earlier order that debarred a person having a cumulative tenure of nine years in any state association and BCCI from holding any position in the apex cricket body.
The apex court, headed by then Chief Justice T S Thakur, on January 2 had said that a person was disqualified from holding any post if he “has been an office bearer of BCCI or a State Association for a cumulative period of 9 years”.
A newly-set up bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra, A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud today modified the order saying the 9-year tenure of an office bearer in state association or in the BCCI would not be considered cumulatively, giving hope to some administrators who had to demit office on this count.
At the outset, senior advocates Anil Divan and Gopal Subramaniam, who have been appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court, submitted nine names in sealed covers for the proposed panel of administrators which will supervise the administration of BCCI through its Chief Executive Officer.
“We may not have the nine member committee. It may be too large. We hope and trust that there are no names which are above 70 (years of age),” the bench said, adding that at present, it was not deciding or dropping any name.
In a fresh twist to the ongoing legal battle in implementing reforms in BCCI, Railways, armed forces and Association of Universities rushed to the court crying foul over issues including downgrading of their BCCI membership from permanent to associate ones and sought recall of the judgement that had given a nod to the suggestions of Justice R M Lodha panel on structural reforms in BCCI administration.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, representing public bodies which were permanent members to BCCI, said all the three bodies have been “integral constituent” of BCCI and have been promoting cricket and employing cricketers.
“We have not only been downgraded but the rule that no public servant or minister would represent them, are affecting us adversely,” he said.
“We have no love for BCCI but larger questions must be addressed and debated by a larger bench. There has been a change in the electoral college. How could the court downgrade our full membership in BCCI without even issuing notice to us,” he said and cited a judgement in the A R Antulay case in which the court had revisited its earlier verdict.
At one point, the bench got angry with the choice of word by senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing Kerala Cricket Association, and barred him from advancing further arguments today. (PTI)
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