'Return of democracy in BCCI is necessary'

Amicus Curiae Gopal Subramanium, in the matter pertaining to the implementation of Lodha reforms, said that "return of democracy in the BCCI is necessary".

Published : May 16, 2018 13:20 IST

"BCCI must be a transparent, accountable and responsible organisation," the Amicus Curiae said (file photo).
"BCCI must be a transparent, accountable and responsible organisation," the Amicus Curiae said (file photo).
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"BCCI must be a transparent, accountable and responsible organisation," the Amicus Curiae said (file photo).

The Supreme Court appointed Amicus Curiae Gopal Subramanium, in the matter pertaining to the implementation of Lodha reforms, said that "return of democracy in the BCCI is necessary".

"BCCI must be a transparent, accountable and responsible organisation, there should be no perpetuation of vested interests and it should be free of any form of political control and interference," the Amicus Curiae said.

He further explained that "the above principles are the bedrock of the Hon'ble Justice Lodha Committee Report accepted by the apex court with certain medications by its order on July 18, 2016."

The Supreme Court has deferred hearing on this issue to July 5, and the Amicus Curiae wants the apex court - once the Draft Constitution of the BCCI is adopted - to give directive to the   Registrar of Societies (under the Tamil Nadu Societies under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975) to register the documents forthwith and report compliance by way of a report to the Registrar General of the Supreme Court.

Read: Amicus Curiae suggests increase in number of selectors

He also wants directive be given to the State Associations to amend its Constitution, conduct elections and undertake registration, within 30 days of the BCCI getting its registration completed and submit a compliance certificate to the CoA to mention the same in its Status Report.

Explaining a point on the three-year cooling off period for office bearer/council members at the BCCI and officer bearers/managing committee member at the State Associations, the Amicus Curiae in his comments to the draft constitution says: "As the cooling off period is concerned, it is necessary to bear in mind that the entire thrust of the Hon'ble Justice Lodha Committee Report was to militate against self-perpetuation. It is in fact the continued presence of certain figures in the BCCI over a period of time which distressed the Hon'ble Justice Lodha Committee. Thus, the presence of individuals in some operative/decision making capacity or in any other capacity, either in the BCCI or the State Associations, on a continued basis is likely to impair the interests of the game and breed vested interests."

Highlights of Amicus Curiae's comments of the draft constitution presented by the CoA to the Supreme Court: 

1. Railways can be made a full member as an exception because of its involvement in women’s cricket, but with a rider that only a former Railways' cricketer be allowed to be given representation with voting power

2. One State, One Member, One vote policy to be maintained for Maharashtra and Gujarat with voting power given on a rotational basis (to Maharashtra, Mumbai and Vidarbha and in the State of Gujarat, Baroda and Saurashtra) 

3. No full membership to Services, All India Universities, Cricket Club of India and NCC

4. No change in the three-year Cooling Off period after every three-year term and nine-year tenure separately at the BCCI and State 

5. State elections to take place first before the BCCI elections

6. Local High Courts to appoint administrator to oversee elections at State associations

7. Apex court to consider present office bearers of the BCCI should demit office because they have completed their three-year term

8. Division of functions, professional management and disqualifications among the General Body, Apex Council through the CEO and CFO must be maintained

9. All future amendments to the Constitution shall not be given effect without leave of the Supreme Court.

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