India-NZ series will run smoothly despite SC nailing BCCI to the wall

SC asked the Lodha panel to appoint independent auditors to scrutinise the BCCI accounts

The Supreme Court on Friday froze bank accounts of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after it failed to give an underwriting that the board is ready to implement Lodha Committee recommendations in totality. The court had asked for an acceptance from the BCCI by October 6 and the recent order will lead to complete halt of disbursements to its state cricket associations across the country.

However, the ODI series that has three matches left may not be affected. 

According to state cricket bodies, payment for organising such matches are done by themselves. The cost of which they recover later from the BCCI. 

"I don’t see any immediate effect of this. Since, we get payments two months later, the ongoing series will not be affected," Biswarup Dey, Treasurer of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) said. 

The three matches, that are yet to be played, are scheduled to be held at Mohali, Ranchi and Vizag.

While the ongoing ODI series may not be hampered due to freezing of accounts by the court today, it could have other implications for the board. The International Cricket Council (ICC) does not permit any government intervention in any of its member bodies. BCCI, being the representative of Indian cricket, may again raise the issue and ask the ICC to intervene into the matter. 

Earlier, BCCI President Anurag Thakur had mentioned to the ICC president Shashank Manohar that Lodha Committee’s interference into its operations tantamount to government intervention.

Also, as bidding process of the board’s flagship Twenty20 tournament – the Indian Premier League – is about to start, freezing of accounts could stall the process.

Today, Chief Justice TS Thakur headed SC bench asked the Lodha panel to appoint independent auditors to scrutinise the BCCI accounts. It has also directed the Lodha panel to ask auditors to scrutinise all high value contracts.

The matter came to a tipping point in September when the former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha-headed three member panel approached the court alleging that BCCI is not willing to comply with the recommendations proposed by them. They also told the court that BCCI office bearers should be removed as they failed to co-operate with the court appointed panel. 

CJI Thakur had questioned disbursement of Rs 400 crore to 12 state bodies by the BCCI on September 29 in a special general meeting held at Mumbai. The SC ordered the concerned state associations to not to use those funds until further order.

While Thakur submitted affidavit on October 17 denying all charges, the apex court had said that it will pass an order soon.