There are no private citizens on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and there is, therefore, no question of the Justice Lodha Committee recommendations infringing on anyone’s fundamental right, the Supreme Court observed on Monday.
The remark by a Bench of Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur and F.M.I. Kalifulla prompted the BCCI members, many of whom risk losing their long-time membership in Indian cricket administration, to object sharply. They said neither the apex court nor the Justice Lodha panel should consider itself the “exclusive expository of wisdom” on what was best for Indian cricket.
Mumbai’s prestigious Cricket Club of India (CCI) found itself at odds with the Supreme Court. Appearing for the CCI, senior advocate Shyam Divan said the recommendations affected Article 19 (1) (c), which enshrines the fundamental right of citizens to form union or associations under the Indian Constitution.
“Are there any private citizens in the BCCI? Are there any individuals? No. There are only individual associations. So, there is no effect of Article 19 (1) (c) on the BCCI. If you are not a citizen, you don’t have rights under this Article,” Chief Justice Thakur said.
