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

What will BCCI’s next move be?

Justice R. M. Lodha, Chairman of the Supreme Court appointed Justice Lodha Committee (Photo: PTI)

The Justice RM Lodha Committee set up by the Supreme Court to help clean up BCCI has hit out at the cricket body with recommendations that could well shake the foundations of the board.

Having submitted their status report to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, Justice Lodha has said that his committee has asked for the sacking of the entire top brass of the board due to non compliance of their guidelines.

The report further added that BCCI’s office bearers were repeatedly issuing statements to undermine the authority of the court and the members of the Lodha panel. The counsel appearing for the panel said BCCI is not replying to emails and other communications sent to them and repeatedly defying the orders of the court.

If the BCCI thinks that they are law unto themselves, then they are wrong. They have to comply with the directions of the court. You (BCCI) are behaving like Lords. Fall in line otherwise we will make you fall in line. BCCI is bringing the system to disrepute by not following the directions

Supreme Court bench 

In reply, advocate Arvind Datar appearing for BCCI said that the board have complied with most of the directions and would gradually comply with the rest.

To this the bench said, “Law needs not to be defied. We are not happy about the things going on. We anticipated this approach from BCCI but this is not done. You will have to fall in line with the directions of the court.” The Cricket Association of Bihar also approached the apex court and said that the review petition pending before the court should be taken up urgently.

The BCCI now has an October 6 deadline to respond to the Lodha Panel’s report.