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SC delivers knockout punch to BCCI, sacks president Thakur & secretary Shirke

Mission clean-up

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Touted as the next big thing in world cricket, Anurag Thakur stares at a blank as far as his role as an administrator in the game is concerned
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In an unprecedented, but not an unexpected move, the Supreme Court on Monday sacked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke from their posts for not implementing its July 18 orders.

The apex court also issued notices for perjury and contempt of court to Thakur. The judgement has come after nearly six months of stand-off between BCCI defiant officials and SC appointed Justice RM Lodha Commission, culminating in the top court cracking down hard on the board.

It was quite evident even during the last hearing on December 15 that the court was not happy about the continuous defiance by the BCCI officials.

The Apex court resumed after a 13-day winter break on Monday and the three-member bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India TS Thakur, AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, took less than 10 minutes to deliver a knock-out punch to entire BCCI and its state associations.

It was Justice Chandrachud, like in the last two instances, who ordered the removal of Thakur, Shirke and all the defiant administrators of BCCI with immediate effect. The Court further sought assistance of senior counsels, Fali S Nariman and amicus curiae Gopal Subramanian, to name the new panel of administrators to replace the current defiant one by January 19.

CJI Thakur was seen requesting India's most senior advocate Nariman, who is now 87, to help the court in implementing the Justice RM Lodha-led panel recommendations.

"We need your help to identify the administrators," CJI said.

"We know you recused yourself earlier on many occasions. But, we have difficulties this time and the Court needs your help," CJI added.

To which Nariman agreed as there were some exchanges between the two sides. "I am always here to help the Court," came the acceptance.

Before this, the Court clarified that till the new administrators take over the working of BCCI, the senior most vice-president of the board will act as the president and the present joint secretary will assume the work as secretary.

The apex court also directed that all office-bearers of BCCI and state associations will have to give an undertaking that they will abide by the directions of the top court that has accepted the recommendations of the Lodha panel. It also warned that any office-bearer, who fails to meet with the court orders, will be removed with immediate effect, starting with Thakur and Shirke.

"Those of the office-bearers of BCCI who are not disqualified other than the president and secretary may continue subject to their filing an unconditional undertaking before this court within four weeks of the date of this order to abide by and implement the directions contained in the judgment dated 18 July 2016. Upon the Committee of administrators as nominated by this Court assuming charge, the existing office-bearers shall function subject to the supervision and control of the Committee of administrators," the orders stated.

The judges said they would pass a separate order on January 19 for appointing the administrator.

Perjury and contempt

Besides showing the door to both Thakur and Shirke, the court issued notices asking them why perjury and contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them. The court had earlier said that prima facie BCCI president had committed perjury by seeking a letter from ICC that the presence of CAG nominee on the BCCI amounted to government interference and "may have to go to jail".

This was after DNA reported in its September 10 edition how "Thakur had asked ICC to write a letter to BCCI and warn it that any government in its functioning might lead to the Board's suspension".

Welcoming the ruling, retired Justice Lodha, who headed the panel for bringing in reforms in the Board, said: "The reforms were laid down on July 18. BCCI was bound to follow it but they didn't. Hence consequences had to follow. This was to happen, and now this has happened. Had submitted three reports before Supreme Court, even then it wasn't implemented."

Whereas former India skipper Bishan Singh Bedi called this verdict an historic one.

"I hope Indian cricket will return on the right track. I am satisfied with the order," said the legendary spinner.

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