BCCI Files New Application Against SC Order, Asks For More Time

The deadline doesn’t “take into account the legal remedies available” to them, said BCCI in their application.

BCCI president Anurag Thakur along with BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke during a press conference. (Photo: PTI)

Though the BCCI had said they “respect SC’s decision” on the sweeping reforms recommended by the Lodha panel on 18 July, they just don’t seem to be going down without a fight.

In their latest and third application filed on 27 September in the Supreme Court, the Board of Control For Cricket in India (BCCI) has pleaded that the court suspend its six month deadline until it hears the cricket board’s “review and curative petitions” against the mandatory implementation of the Lodha Committee recommendations, reported ESPN.

The board’s affidavit however, is not a response to the the status report filed by the Lodha Committee which recommended the sacking of the entire top brass of the BCCI due to non-compliance of their guidelines.

Also Read: Big Blow to BCCI: Lodha Panel Recommends Removal of Top Brass

The BCCI in its latest affidavit has said it "ought to be granted" more time before they follow the Lodha Committee recommendations, approved by the court.

The affidavit, signed by Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI general manager, administration and game development said:

The timelines framed by the Hon’ble Committee do not take into account the legal remedies available to the Applicant [BCCI] in the form of review petition and curative petition. Grave and irreparable loss, harm and prejudice will be caused to the Applicant if the Application is not heard. It is, therefore, respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to pass an order suspending the implementation of the judgment dated 18.7.2016 till the review petition and curative petition are not heard by this Hon’ble Court.

Also Read: Court, Committees, Reforms & Cricket: DeQoding Lodha Panel Report

The earlier two applications filed by the BCCI were a review petition and a curative petition. While the review petition claimed that Chief Justice TS Thakur had “a prejudiced approach” against them, the curative petition challenged the appointment of the Lodha Committee by the court.

The SC on Wednesday had told the BCCI that it would make the cricket body “fall in line” if it did not abide by the court orders and said the cash-rich organisation cannot behave like "Lords" and think they are "law unto themselves".

Also Read:

SC Accepts Lodha Panel Suggestions, Gives BCCI 6 Month Deadline

Top 4 Talking Points From SC’s Verdict on Lodha Panel Suggestions

Source: ESPN CricInfo