New Delhi: The Supreme Court approved Thursday BCCI’s new draft constitution with some modifications, effectively diluting its earlier order on a tenure cap for office-bearers and reinstating voting rights of four legacy cricket associations.
In a string of rulings in the long-running case involving the BCCI, the apex court, however, warned state associations that they face action if they don’t adopt the new constitution in the next 30 days.
While some associations have promised to adopt the charter – written in compliance with the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee – most continue to oppose it on the grounds that it puts a cap on the age and tenure of office-bearers.
The ruling, especially on the ‘cooling-off’ norm as well as ‘one-state, one vote, definitely is a face-saver for BCCI, which has questioned the feasibility of the Lodha recommendations.
The Supreme Court, in its July 18, 2016 verdict, accepted most of the recommendations of the Lodha committee, which was formed in January 2015 under retired Justice RM Lodha’.
Among the key judgments, the Supreme Court reinstated the memberships of Mumbai, Saurashtra, Vadodara and Vidarbha associations whose voting rights were taken away by the Lodha committee.
The bench – also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud – restored permanent membership to Railways, Services and Universities, which are not full cricket associations but are ‘boards’.
The apex court also said that the cooling off period will happen after two terms of three years each and not after one term as recommended by the Lodha panel.
In the earlier hearing, the counsel for Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) had opposed the cooling-off period for the office-bearers suggested by the Lodha panel, and said there should be continuity of experience. The TNCA had also objected to the age cap of 70 years for office-bearers as suggested by the panel.
- Cooling off period after six years and not three as Lodha panel
- Voting rights reinstated for Mumbai, Saurashtra, Vadodara and Vidarbha which had been taken away by Lodha panel