Lodha promises fair play

"Transparency will be the rule," the former Chief Justice of India said.

January 24, 2015 01:11 am | Updated December 04, 2021 11:28 pm IST - NEW DELHI:

Former Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha

Former Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha

The former Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha, chairperson of the three-member committee appointed by the Supreme Court to clean up the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said on Friday that the panel would ensure that transparency and accountability was the rule and not exception in the administration of cricket in India.

“One of the tasks given to us is to ensure there is transparency and accountability in the game. We know there is huge public expectation resting on us. We will ensure the game is played in its best spirits. We will do our best,” Justice Lodha told The Hindu on the phone.

“We will complete all our assigned tasks within the six months given to us,” he said. The panel members are the former Supreme Court judges Ashok Bhan and R.V. Raveendran.

'Verdict signals an evolution of public law'

The former Chief Justice of India said that the BCCI judgment delivered by a Bench of Justices T.S. Thakur and Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla signalled an evolution in public law and was intended to preserve the purity of the game.

“When the Supreme Court decides, it will be in the best traditions of constitutional principles and always an advancement in law. Public law evolves with every SC decision,” Justice Lodha said.

> Read: SC's full judgment on the IPL scam

The SC had noted that the panel represented “outstanding judicial minds and men with impeccable credentials,” who would give the public confidence in the objectivity and transparency of the inquiry and re-hauling of the BCCI structure.

The need for this committee was expressed in the court’s concern that the BCCI should gain institutional integrity or an impression would gather among the public that “What goes on in the name of the game is no more than a farce.”

Giving wide powers to the Justice Lodha committee, the court asked it to evolve a mechanism to define and deal with conflict of interest situations and recommend measures to streamline BCCI elections, eligibility of candidates and criteria for disqualification.

> Read: IPL spot-fixing scandal timeline The committee has been given further powers to bring in any recommen-dations it sees fit in the BCCI functioning. Any decision taken by this committee will be “final and binding on the BCCI.” The committee would also decide the quantum of punishment for team officials Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra, found guilty of betting, and IPL franchisees Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.

Acknowledging that he was a “passionate cricket lover,” Justice Lodha said, “Who is not in this country.”

Justice Mukul Mudgal, who headed the Supreme Court-appointed probe committee, told the media that “Justice Lodha, as the chairman of the new panel to prescribe punishment, is a good choice. He will consider all aspects and weigh all options.”

Supreme Court on BCCI Elections
 
Rules and regulations

The BCCI shall hold within six weeks from the date of this order in accordance with the prevalent rules and regulations

Commercial interest in BCCI events

The polls will be subject to the condition that no one who has any commercial interest in the BCCI events (including Mr. N. Srinivasan) shall be eligible for contesting the elections for any post whatsoever

Disqualification

We make it clear that the disqualification for contesting elections applicable to those holding any commercial interest in BCCI events shall hold good and continue till such time the person concerned holds such commercial interest or till the Committee awards suitable punishment to those liable for the same; whichever is later

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