Lodha panel warns BCCI against any financial disbursement

Miffed at the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to disburse huge amounts to its various member associations, the Supreme Court-appointed Justice R.M. Lodha Committee on Monday termed it 'illegal'.

The BCCI in its Special General Meeting (SGM) on Friday released payments to its member associations, against the directions of the Lodha panel.

"It has come to the notice of this Committee that certain decisions have been taken at the 'SGM' of the BCCI on September 30 to disburse large funds to the various member associations. You are aware that by way of this committee's direction dated August 31, no further decisions were to be taken regarding the future apart from routine matters. The disbursement of these amounts are not routine, and in any case, not emergent," Gopal Sankaranarayanan, secretary of the Lodha Committee, said in a press release.

The letter addressed to BCCI Secretary Ajay Shirke, Treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry, CEO Rahul Johri and Rana Kapoor of Yes Bank, also talked about how the BCCI has openly breached the Supreme Court's order.

"You are also aware that the BCCI has chosen to breach the judgement of the Supreme Court as well as the first set of timelines set out by this Committee which includes the Fund Disbursement policy to be framed by September 30," said the release.

A defiant BCCI had already missed the first deadline (September 30) set by the apex court for implementing the Lodha panel recommendations despite the court's strict warning, which said: "Either fall in line or we will make you fall in line."

The panel also cautioned the board against taking any further financial decisions, defying which may bring in more trouble for the world's richest cricket board.

"As the status report is to be taken up for directions by the court on Thursday, (October 6), you are hereby directed not to take any steps towards financial disbursement of the amounts as resolved/approved after the direction dated August 31. Any violation of this direction will be placed before the Supreme Court for appropriate directions," warned Sankaranarayanan.

--IANS

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