BCCI down in the dumps

Cricket is finally vindicated. And me, too.

In spite of being vilified by vested interests for slamming the BCCI, I kept at it. I felt I owed it to those young cricketers sweating it out on the maidans.

I am glad that the Supreme Court has taken the right steps to cleanse BCCI and cricket in India. After almost 18 months of deliberations, the apex court has rightly barred N Srinivasan from contesting in the next round of BCCI elections till such time he has "commercial interests in cricket".

The two-judge bench made an important observation, stating that "BCCI functions are public functions, amenable to judicial law". This encourages the clamour for bringing BCCI and all state associations under the RTI Act. The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) will probably be the first in the list. After all, it leads the way for all kinds of corrupt practices.

Most other associations have their own crooks who deprive young and talented cricketers of financial and logistical support. They end up embezzling up to Rs 35 crore of the total grant they receive annually from the BCCI.
Kudos to Aditya Verma, secretary of the Cricket Association of Bihar, the petitioner in the case. Why should action not be taken against all the legal eagles who tried to fool the public by commissioning a "private judicial certificate of innocence" from former judges?

The BCCI thought it was above the law. The SC verdict is a stinging slap on the faces of all those working against the game.

By presenting facts to the media and raising questions in Parliament, I highlighted the rot in the BCCI. Enjoying strong political support across parties, the BCCI cared a damn. On issues of accountability, it claimed "independent status". When it came to selection of an Indian team, and getting national awards, it was discharging a state function. It has gone to all lengths to avoid being brought under the RTI Act.

The BCCI is the worst example of manipulating legal provisions and using loopholes to escape the law with the help of scheming legal luminaries, specialising in such manipulative practices, for a hefty price.

The BCCI and its state associations have a lot of money to give to such lawyers to retain control of cricket in India. The office-bearers of the BCCI and its state associations have become filthy rich overnight, owning properties and farmhouses in upscale localities. At the same time, cricketers at the grassroots struggle to make ends meet.

And who are these administrators?

Most are small-time shopkeepers and businessmen who've garnered the 'support' of a big politician in their area. For this support, these businessmen are allowed to embezzle BCCI money given to all state associations for "developing cricket". But what development is taking place at the grassroots?

Parents come to me and other former cricketers with one request — "Sir, please get our son to leave cricket. We cannot afford to pay these thugs money to play matches and selection to various age-group teams".

I have brought to the BCCI's notice this culture of looting. Our cricket association in Delhi diligently informed the then-president, Arun Jaitley, about the massive defalcation happening right under his nose. Hundreds of letters, messages and questions at AGMs were ignored. But the bubble burst the moment he avoided an election against the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi.

The modus operandi in other state associations is the same. A handful of office-bearers, led by a crooked politician, are stripping the associations of funds meant for cricket development. The BCCI's support for such illegal and unethical activities comes at a small price — support us with your vote; if you don't support us, you will be eased out. The politician's job is to keep everything under control.

Only the SC could bring these crooks down to earth. It's time for a complete overhaul. The time is now.

—The writer is a former India all-rounder and BJP MP