April 5, 2016: SC brings up the fund- disbursement issue
Having studied the audited accounts of the BCCI and state associations over the past 5 years, the SC states that BCCI’s method of funds disbursement to state association is done without any system in place.
While associations like Mumbai and Gujarat received up to Rs. 60 crores, 11 states had not received a penny in the 5 years.
The next hearing was set for the 8th of April.
April 29, 2016: SC remains resolute on age-limit issue
The SC cited the example of Jagmohan Dalmiya, who at the age of 75, was elected BCCI President, despite not being able to communicate properly to demonstrate why an age limit is essential.
The Court further attacked the BCCI, displaying an aggression that had been growing for the past couple of months. It was evident with statements like, “These days, even in politics people are retiring.”
They rebuffed claims of both the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and Odisha Cricket Association on the age issue.
May 3, 2016: SC makes its strongest statement yet
The Supreme Court insists that the BCCI was incapable of ensuring transparency and accountability without incorporating changes to its very structure, detailed in the constitution.
Senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam added that the BCCI would gain from incorporating the Lodha Committee recommendations as it would only enhance the body’s credibility.
June 30, 2016: SC sets date for judgement on BCCI’s implementation of recommendations
The two-judge bench reserved its judgement on BCCI’s response to the recommendations and decided to serve a written judgement by the 21st of July.
KK Venugopal, representing the BCCI, said during the final hearing, that the BCCI would be more than happy to implement all of the recommendations barring ‘six or seven’.
Some of the key contentious issues are as below -
Advertisements during Tests and ODIs.
Ministers and bureaucrats being part of the BCCI.
The one-state-one-vote policy.
The 70 year age limit for holding office.
July 18, 2016: BCCI given 6-month timeframe to implement reforms
The Supreme Court ruled in favour of a majority of the committee’s recommendations and the BCCI were given a 6-month deadline to incorporate the changes.
The Lodha Committee would oversee the transition and help to implement the reforms.
There were 3 recommendations that the SC did not uphold -
Restrictions on advertisements during the matches.
Bringing BCCI under the Right to Information Act.
Matters regarding legalising betting in the country.
August 09, 2016: Lodha Committee issues first set of deadlines
After BCCI’s secretary Ajay Shirke met with the Lodha Committee, the latter issued its first set of deadlines to be met by the BCCI.
Key takeaways:
By September 30th
Adopting the amended BCCI Memorandum of Association, and Rules and Regulations.
Establishing 15-day gap between day between the national calendar and the IPL.
Deciding on fund disbursements among members.
By October 15th
Appointment of electoral officers at BCCI and state levels.
August 16, 2016: BCCI files petition in Supreme Court
Nearly a month after the SC accepted most of the Lodha Committee’s recommendations, the BCCI hit the Supreme Court hard in its latest move.
The board seeks a review of the Supreme Court Order and also demanded the recusal of Chief Justice of India, JS Thakur.
The BCCI had finally made its move.
September 1, 2016: Lodha Committee issues further deadlines for the BCCI
After a meeting in Delhi, the Committee finalised the second set of deadlines for the BCCI.
Important dates
Nov 15 - State bodies have to wrap up their elections.
Dec 15 - Hold elections for the Apex Council, which will replace the existing Working Committee as the highest decision-making body in the BCCI.
Dec 30 - Form a fresh IPL Governing Council.
The BCCI had earlier announced that it would conduct its Annual General Meeting on the 21st of September and these new deadlines firmly ensured that the BCCI would focus on the recommendations.
September 11, 2016: BCCI differs from Lodha Committee on national selectors guidelines
The BCCI announced that it would be conducting interviews to decide the selectors for the various junior and senior men’s and women’s teams.
While the Committee insisted that one must have played at least one Test match to be eligible for the post of senior men’s or women’s selector, BCCI decided to ignore the guideline and set their own.
BCCI’s guidelines read, “He/She should have represented the Indian team either in a Test match or a one-day international or more than 50 first-class matches in India.”
September 21, 2016: BCCI doesn’t pay heed to Lodha Committee’s warnings
The Lodha Committee informed the BCCI that in their AGM, they must only conduct business considering the past year (15 - 16) and any business pertaining to the next year (16 - 17) must be dealt with only after implementing the Committee’s guidelines.
However, the BCCI remained firm on its agenda which included -
Electing a new secretary for the board.
Picking members of the selection committee.
Choosing a new ombudsman.
Approving the budget for the next calendar year.
The Lodha Committee clearly expressed to the board that unless the new Memorandum of Association and Rules was drafted, any such appointments would be considered contempt of court.
October 1: BCCI continues to ignore few key recommendations
The BCCI missed the first deadline day given by the Lodha Committee as it could not come to any conclusions on the SGM conducted on the 30th of the September.
Reconvening the very next day, the BCCI agreed to implement several key recommendations but continued to ignore a few key pressing points.
Among those were -
The 70 year age limit for office bearers.
The tenure in office (3 terms of 9 years).
The One-state-one-vote policy.
October 3: Lodha freezes BCCI accounts
The Lodha Committee asked two Indian banks not to disburse BCCI funds to various state associations on account of not following the guidelines prescribed.
The funds had arrived from the broadcasters who had provided compensation for the cancellation of the Champions League T20.
The funds were to be disbursed to all full members of the BCCI - barring the Rajasthan Cricket Association.
October 4: Lodha clarifies stance amidst chaos
Chaos ensued as media reports claimed that after the BCCI’s accounts were frozen, the rest of the ongoing India - New Zealand series would be cancelled.
The New Zealand team received no official confirmation from the board about this.
The Committee then later clarified their stance, stating it had only told the banks to stop two specific payments to state associations, and not freeze their accounts completely as was largely publicised.
The BCCI made a meal out of the issue, claiming it was insulting for the Committee to treat a sports body with such disrepute. After the clarification, the series was back on track.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
