The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) got a big boost as the hon. Supreme Court has decided to review some key clauses of Lodha recommendations like ‘one state, one vote’ and ‘cooling off’.
The Committee of Administrators (CoA) filed its ninth status report on Wednesday and reserved its order on the finalization of BCCI constitution. The order is expected in two weeks time.
The court’s observation that it would consider modifying the compulsory cooling off period for office-bearers completing their initial tenure and that it could be waived if he or she contests for a different post has given a ray of hope to BCCI officials who are in a long time standoff with CoA members.
The three-judge bench of CJI Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar, and DY Chandrachud said modifications to its judgment of July 18, 2016, that included the ‘one state, one vote’ and cooling-off period clauses could be considered.
Justice Lodha commented on the Supreme Court agreeing to review the key clauses and said, “I have been very clear that these suggestions, which have the seal of the court, are the heart and lungs of the reforms. If they are in any way modified, the very efficacy of the reforms would be lost.”
The Supreme Court has restrained all the state cricket bodies from holding elections till a verdict on finalization of the draft constitution of the BCCI was given. This puts a cloud over the DDCA elections which were held under a court officer.
The ‘one state, one vote’ recommendation in the SC-appointed Lodha panel report has been opposed vehemently by office-bearers as it would make three of the four units in Maharashtra – Mumbai, Cricket Club of India, Vidarbha, and Maharashtra – ineligible to vote. It would also bar two of three units in Gujarat – Baroda, Saurashtra, and Gujarat – from voting in the BCCI annual general meeting.
BCCI officials also opposed the Lodha recommendation that bars ministers and those over 70 years from holding office.
In their 9th status report to the Supreme Court by CoA has appealed to the court to ratify the new BCCI constitution and have listed every issue with acting officials of the board, Amitabh Choudhary in particular.
(With inputs from Hindustan Times)
