N Srinivasan's return to BCCI kept on hold by CoA

What‘s the story?

The Court of Administrators have declined the attempt made by BCCI office bearers to bring back former president N Srinivasan, stating that this decision would require the approval of the Supreme Court.

The office bearers have expressed their desire to nominate the 72-year old industrialist as BCCI’s representative at the ICC board meetings in Dubai which will be held on April 26^th and 27^th. The final verdict regarding Srinivasan’s nomination will be taken by the board during their special general body meeting in Delhi on Sunday.

A member of the CoA stated, "Members may kindly note that the Committee of Administrators has decided to seek appropriate directions from the Hon'ble Supreme Court on matters relating to eligibility for participating in any Special General Meeting or Annual General Meeting of the BCCI (both with reference to Members and their nominees/representatives) as well as eligibility for being appointed to represent the BCCI at the ICC.

"Members are requested to consider the above issues and ensure that attendance and decisions at any Special General Meeting or Annual General Meeting of the BCCI is in compliance with the orders passed by the Honourable Supreme Court as well as all applicable norms, rules and regulations."

In case you didn’t know...

In 2014, Srinivasan was forced to step down from his position as the president of the BCCI by the Supreme Court so that the Mudgal panel would conduct a fair investigation into the spot-fixing scandal of IPL 2013.

Following his dismissal from BCCI, Srinivasan became the chairman of the ICC before his dismissal in 2015, after BCCI withdrew its support for him. Recently, a rumour had circulated regarding Srinivasan’s return to the ICC board.

On Wednesday, Srinivasan had a conversation with three office bearers of the BCCI namely, Amitabh Choudhary (acting secretary), Anirudh Chaudhry (treasurer) and CK Khanna (acting president). However, the three then took the matter to the CoA which was led by Vinod Rai and Vikram Lamiye.

It has been learnt that the former told the office bearers that anybody representing the BCCI at the forthcoming ICC meetings would have to meet the eligibility criteria sanctioned by the Supreme Court.

The heart of the matter

As per the criteria, Srinivasan fails on three aspects. Firstly, he is above 70. Secondly, he has completed nine years as an office bearer at the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association as well as in BCCI. And thirdly, Srinivasan has not yet resigned from the TNCA despite being disqualified by the Lodha committee last July.

One day after the office bearers took this matter to the CoA, the CoA assured them that they would seek the Supreme Court’s approval but requested the BCCI members to adhere to the court’s guidelines.

What’s next?

A final decision regarding Srinivasan’s possibility of returning to the BCCI will be made when the CoA and the BCCI office bearers meet in Delhi on Sunday.

Author’s Take

In the past couple of years, Srinivasan’s name has been pointed out in several scandals beginning from IPL 2013 which eventually led to his sacking from BCCI by the Supreme Court itself. Hence, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if the India Cements managing director’s attempt to return to BCCI is thwarted by the Supreme Court.