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Warning that there will be no domestic cricket matches if BCCI and its members do not fall in line with Lodha reforms, the Supreme Court on Thursday threatened to pass an order within 24 hours to stop all BCCI payments to State cricket associations for hosting domestic matches, including Ranji Trophy.
The apex court indicated that it may also direct the reimbursement of Rs.400 crore disbursed by BCCI to State cricket associations on September 30 in a Special General Meeting (SGM).
The court was hearing a plea by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice RM Lodha committee's plea to replace the current BCCI top brass for impeding the panel's work to usher in transparency and accountability in Indian cricket administration.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur gave an ultimatum to the BCCI to to give an undertaking by October 7 to “unconditionally” comply with the reforms of the Justice Lodha Committee upheld by the Supreme Court.
“What do you want? Either we pass orders tomorrow or you give us a statement that you will abide unconditionally by the recommendations and directions of the Lodha Committee,” Chief Justice Thakur addressed BCCI.
To this, BCCI, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, responded “it was not possible” for the Board to persuade all the member State associations to fall in line within the next few hours.
BCCI submitted that it had no powers to force compliance from its member State associations as they had a mind of their own.
“If the associations are reluctant to reform, why do you continue to give them money? You are giving crores of money to them even as they refuse to reform?” Chief Justice Thakur asked.
The court learnt that BCCI had in a Special General Meeting held on September 30 disbursed Rs. 400 crore to various State associations despite an embargo issued by the Lodha panel.
Amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium submitted that the Committee did not known about this disbursement.
"They (State associations) cannot say 'give us money, but we will not reform'. Tell them that if they want money from you (BCCI), first reform. Otherwise we will stop all payments of money to them from you... and this will include repayment of money disbursed by you. They are reluctant because you support them," CJI Thakur said.
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