‘All is not well with BCCI’

Plea against Lalit Modi dismissed, but board gets a dressing down

Bombay High Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking removal of Lalit Modi as vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The PIL filed by a cricket fan, Chandravardhan Parekh, alleged that Modi in 1985 - a 20-year-old college student then - had been convicted in the US for possession of cocaine.

Though Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice SC Dharmadhikari held that a petition could be filed in public interest, given the interest generated by cricket in India and the BCCI’s status, they dismissed the case against Modi as “stale and old”. However, witnessing the dirty politics within the BCCI being played out in court during the petition’s hearing, the judges “felt compelled” make certain scathing observations regarding the Board’s functioning:

Power politics
BCCI cannot become a centre of power politics. It should not become a tool for musclemen, merchants or media barons and power brokers. It is said that cricket is a gentleman’s game. The game is not just about generating revenue, or a business venture. It is a sport. Its management and administration should be in the hands of sports persons and sports lovers.

If people from all walks of life, and those with ambitions, find the BCCI a place to fulfil their aspirations and dreams, then a time will come when the management of the BCCI will have to be taken over by cricket lovers. Elections (to BCCI) ought not to be fought on party lines. Ultimately, the sports lovers and administrators are not rivals. They should act as playmates. The election ought to be conducted in the same spirit in which the game of cricket is played.

Corruption
Petitioner’s allegations are grave and serious. The game also is passing through a crucial phase. There are incidents of match-fixing and betting as well. It is alleged that several senior officials and players are involved. When such allegations about misuse of funds and abuse of power are being levelled, then it is of utmost importance that the BCCI be manned by people who have the experience of playing and administrating the game. BCCI should ensure that those involved in criminal cases have no place in the administration.

Public first
The BCCI is performing an important public function. It has to act with great responsibility and its action must not jeopardise or shake the faith and trust of cricket lovers. It has to safeguard interests of the public, and the younger generation interested in making the game a career.

The BCCI should not do anything by which it betrays the faith and trust of the people. It should act and function as a trustee of this section of the public. Once it has been put in charge or enormous funds and also conferred with drastic and wide powers to control, monitor, manage and administer the game, then it is of utmost importance that its officers and office bearers are persons of calibre and character.

State’s role
The purity of the electoral process and sanctity and dignity of such offices must be preserved at all costs. Hence it is also for the state, to whom the doctrine of public trust applies, to take note of allegations made in the petition. Ultimately the state cannot remain a mute spectator to the power game. Time will come when the state will have to use its powers and authority to check any mismanagement and maladministration.

Warning
If BCCI elections are also going to be fought on identical (party) lines, then the Board may think of doing away with the process and substituting it with a better alternative. Otherwise in the given case, courts of law will have to interfere. We hope and trust that time to take such harsh steps and decisions will not come. Group politics would destroy the game itself. We hope this petition will serve as a reminder to everyone.