Board of (No) Control of Cricket in India

Were you surprised when the Supreme Court, on Friday, disclosed the names of four prominent personalities probed by the Justice Mudgal Committee? Sidelined BCCI president N Srinivasan, his son-in-law and former Chennai Super Kings team principal Gurunath Meiyappan, IPL chief operating officer Sundar Raman and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra were among the 13 individuals investigated for their role in the betting and spot-fixing scandal.

Everyone is saddened by these developments. The 38th Member of Parliament (MP) panel, chaired by former finance minister Yashwant Sinha, had come out with shocking details of the BCCI's conduct of the IPL held in South Africa in 2009. The panel had slammed the BCCI and IPL for violating tax, foreign exchange and money laundering norms.

In its report, the MP panel said that the BCCI and IPL had violated the Company Law and RBI regulations and, recommended an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) violations by IPL teams.

The probe was to be completed within six months. The panel had specifically looked at expediting the process of income tax assessment of BCCI, IPL and the franchises. It had urged the Reserve Bank of India to act against banks for FEMA violations. The Parliament standing committee on finance had adopted the IPL report in July 2011 and tabled it in Parliament in the monsoon session in August 2011, in both Houses.

The BCCI is a cosy club where friends from across political parties exert power to even decide whether the sports bill will be brought in. The UPA government did its best to suppress action against the BCCI because several regional satraps and senior ministers were themselves part of the BCCI and IPL.

The problem got compounded when even senior Opposition leaders, in a show of rare unity, seemingly helped the BCCI to escape the dragnet of law. It was shocking to find Union ministers rushing from one ground to another to watch IPL matches. Who foot the bill for their travel and stay? No one knows. Either way, there was conflict of interest. But who cares?

Let us find answers to some very basic questions — a) has the government taken note of the 38th MP panel?; b) is it true that the MP panel had slammed the BCCI and IPL for violating norms?; c) is it true that the panel recommended an ED probe into FEMA violations by IPL teams?; d) has an ED probe been conducted against BCCI and IPL?; e) if yes, what was the outcome?; f) has the government expedited the process of income tax assessment of BCCI, IPL and the franchises; g) has any action been taken against the BCCI top brass for the violations?; h) is it true that the report was tabled in Parliament in the monsoon session of 2011?; i) when can we expect proper action?

It is not clear whether Srinivasan will be able to contest the BCCI elections. But his vice-like grip is obvious. He continues to call the shots. Hoping to be let off, Srinivasan will keep postponing the AGM.

The AGM is normally held before September 30 every year. This is the first time in the BCCI's history that it has been put off twice. Pray, what are all other satraps doing?

The north lobby had, last year, controlled the 'flow' of the AGM sitting in a New Delhi hotel. The east lobby has already given a carte blanche support in writing to Srinivasan, to enable him to contest from their zone.

All state associations would have already bargained for committees and monetary assignments — team manager, marketing, media, selectors, coaches and administrative staff.

Till Srinivasan's ship sinks completely, self-seekers will continue to support him. But the moment the SC cracks the whip, all his fair-weather friends will switch loyalties and rush to the other side.

The BCCI believes that it is a superordinate body, outside the purview and control of India's legal system. And in this mistaken belief, it continues to operate with impunity. It would be appropriate if the government comes out with a detailed report on the action taken against it.

Three years on, the public is none the wiser about the outcome and follow up of the Yashwant Sinha report.

I have already put up several Parliamentary questions in the ensuing sessions to ferret out the truth. I hope the apex court will help us find answers. It's high time cricketers are allowed to run the BCCI.