BCCI top brass must go, says Lodha panel

Seeks ex-home secy G K Pillai as observer

The Lodha committee on Monday sought a direction from the Supreme Court to disqualify Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office-bearers who continue to violate its recommendations.

The committee also sought the appointment of former home secretary G K Pillai as observer to guide the board’s administration.

“Several office-bearers at BCCI and in state associations continue to hold posts although they stand disqualified as per the order of this court. It is submitted that those individuals who fall foul of the norms be declared to cease to hold office forthwith,” the panel said.

In its latest status report, the panel headed by Justice R M Lodha, former chief justice of India, and comprising former Supreme Court judges R V Raveendran and Ashok Bhan, recommended the appointment of Pillai as observer.

The panel said the day-to-day administration of the BCCI was being carried out by Chief Executive Officer  Rahul Johri and managers assisting him.

There is need for an observer to guide them on award of contracts and audit in respect of domestic, international and IPL cricket, the panel said.

Empower the committee
It also sought a direction to “empower the committee to appoint all necessary secretarial staff... and fix remuneration as may be determined appropriate”.

The apex court had earlier approved the panel’s report of January 4, recommending that no person should be a BCCI office-bearer after attaining the age of 70.

It had also recommended the disqualification of those BCCI office-bearers who were holding posts in other sports associations.

On July 18, the court had directed the committee to ensure that the recommendations were implemented within six months.