BCCI doing public service, subject to rule of law: SC

The Supreme Court said on Wednesday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is doing a public service as the governing body and not any business, making it subject to rule of law.

"The BCCI is not doing any business or trade but running an activity. It is subject to rule of law as it is discharging a public function. No one is above the law and BCCI is also subject matter of law," senior advocate Gopal Subramanium told the bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice F.M.I. Kalifulla.

Subramanium was appointed as amicus curiae by the apex court in the case.

The recommendations of Justice R.M. Lodha panel for whole-scale structural reforms in the BCCI were supprted by the Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) on Wednesday.

The CAB counsel also said any association engaging in a specific activity can be regulated and it will not amount to violation of any fundamental rights.

The bench said BCCI reforms are aimed with the objective of bringing in transparency, accountability and objectivity, and as such it doesn't involve any violation of fundamental rights of the citizens.

The apex court On Tuesday said the constitution of the BCCI is "highly incapable" to provide "transparency, objectivity and accountability" and a complete overhaul of it is required.

--IANS

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