Apex court bars BCCI from giving funds to state bodies

Freezes money already given; next hearing on October 17

The Supreme Court has stopped the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from disbursing money to state cricket associations until it unconditionally accepts the Lodha committee recommendations.

Funds already so given are to be frozen, the 12 state associations were told. The next hearing is on October 17.

It is unclear whether the board will be able to continue with the ongoing series between India and New Zealand. According to BCCI sources, Friday's order will severely hamper the board in this regard, on the power to conduct and arrange cricket matches, domestic and international. The country’s largest long-format domestic cricket tournament, for the Ranji Trophy, is also currently underway.

State associations are primarily dependent on BCCI for money to conduct business, though sources say many also have their own pool. BCCI is considering what to do.

On September 30, BCCI met in Mumbai and a majority of its members voted against accepting the Lodha recommendations, such as amending its constitution. The board had disbursed funds worth Rs 400 crore to various state associations. When asked, it told the SC bench on Thursday the allocations were due, for expenses during 2015-16.

The court tussle over BCCI’s functioning has been on since early 2015. Last week, the SC bench turned up the heat after the Lodha panel gave a status report. The court-appointed panel, headed by the country's former chief justice, R M Lodha, pointed to violation of the SC bench's earlier order in this regard and BCCI's unwillingness to implement the recommendations. It also alleged that despite attempts, BCCI would not respond to the committee, something the board denied by citing several e-mails.

The apex court had earlier instructed the board to follow the committee’s recommendations, for bringing transparency into its operations and financial dealings. BCCI opposed this. Recommendations such as ‘one state, one vote’ and barring members from holding positions once they attain the age of 70 years are the main contention.

The battle began in late 2013, when a public interest suit came before the SC, for a probe into alleged wrongdoing by BCCI. This was after a spot fixing and betting scandal rocked the 2013 edition of the BCCI’s flagship Indian Premier League tournament.  An SC bench took cognizance and formed a three- member panel, headed by Lodha, for a thorough probe on the functioning of BCCI.

THE STORY SO FAR

• Jan, 2015: The Bench comprising Justice T S Thakur (now CJI) & Justice Ibrahim Kalifulla recommends a three member panel to probe 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting scam
   
• Apr, 2015: Panel, headed by former CJI R S Lodha, sends a 82-point questionnaire to BCCI to understand its functioning
   
• Jan 4, 2016: Lodha panel recommends sweeping change in BCCI’s structure, management and functioning to impart financial transparency and accountability
   
• Feb 19, 2016: BCCI opposes various recommendations made by the committee
   
• Feb 22, 2016: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) approaches the SC against ‘one state, one vote’ rule; says it hurts MCA’s interests
  

 

Apr 5, 2016: Court slams BCCI’s method of disbursing funds; asks BCCI & state bodies to come up with audited accounts for five years
 

Jul 18, 2016: Court accepts majority of the panels’ recommendations like ‘one state, one vote’, no minister or civil servant in BCCI management, members’ age barred at 70 years
 

Aug 7, 2016: BCCI appoints former SC judge Markandey Katju for legal advice; Katju terms reforms unconstitutional and illegal
 

Aug 9, 2016: Lodha Panel meets BCCI’s Ajay Shirke (Anurag Thakur skips the meeting), asks the board to implement 15 key recommendations by 15 October

 

Sept 21, 2016: BCCI holds AGM, re-elects Ajay Shirke as secretary, forms new selection committee
 

Sept 28, 2016: Lodha panel submits status report to the SC; seeks removal of top brass including Shirke and Thakur, allege violation of the SC directives
 

Oct 6, 2016: The SC asks BCCI to give underwriting that it is ready to unconditionally accept recommendations
 

Oct 7, 2016: The SC bars BCCI from disbursing any funds to state cricket bodies; orders freezing of Rs 400 crores already sent to 12 cricket associations