BCCI Calls CJI Thakur “Prejudiced”, Challenges Lodha Panel Reccos

BCCI President Anurag Thakur with fellow members of the board (Photo: PTI)

The BCCI, apparently, just wont give up easy.

After being directed by the Supreme Court on July 18 to accept and implement most recommendations made by the RM Lodha Committee, the Anurag Thakur-led board has now against knocked on the doors of the apex body, seeking a review of the verdict!

Their latest excuse? That the previous bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur had “a prejudiced approach” against them and he should recuse from hearing the matter.

The BCCI also contended that the judgement was “unreasoned” and “seeks to frame legislative measures for a private autonomous society in a field already occupied by legislations, both parliamentary and state”.

BCCI further said the judgment authored by the CJI and Justice F M I Kalifulla (who has since retired) has “neither noted the contentions and facts correctly, nor dealt with the same”.

“The judgment is unconstitutional and contrary to many binding precedents of this Court and adversely affects and nullifies the fundamental rights granted to citizens . The judgment outsources judicial power to a committee of retired judges, which is impermissible in law.”

“The judgment is a nullity as the judges were functus officio after passing of the main judgment of January 22, 2015 and the matter could not have been revived suo motu as no provision of law empowers the same and is contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers and contrary to settled law that the judiciary cannot make laws,” the plea said.

However, the most important aspect of the review petition, is the plea for recusal of the CJI from hearing it, alleging that there has been a “prejudiced approach” against BCCI.

“Chief Justice T S Thakur seems to have a prejudiced approach to BCCI which is evident by statements such as ‘BCCI treatment’ is to be meted out to another entity i.e. the All India Football Federation in another case, ex-facie shows that the Chief Justice has a closed mind and will summarily dismiss the review petition without listing the same before another bench of five judges for hearing in the open Court,” it said.

Interestingly, BCCI had earlier appointed former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju as the head of a four-member legal panel to help the Board understand the implications of the Justice Lodha Committee reforms, which have been made mandatory by the apex court.

(With inputs from PTI)