SC to BCCI: release funds to state bodies for matches

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the BCCI, now run by a Committee of Administrators, to disburse funds for state associations to conduct cricket matches.

The committee, appointed by the court, is led by former comptroller and auditor general Vinod Rai.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Dipak Misra, also clarified on how long a cricket administrator could be in office: if a person has held a post in a state association for nine years, he will not be disqualified from contesting for a BCCI post.

Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, complained the committee was not honouring BCCI’s contracts. He said it had not released the Rs 2.5 crore required for a Test match to be played between India and Australia from March 25 at Dharamsala. He contended the committee had made disbursal of money conditional, and sought an undertaking on compliance with the directions of the R M Lodha panel.

Associations from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Jharkhand have also contended that funds due to them were not being released by the committee.

Committee counsel Parag Tripathi countered the claim, saying the associations were affluent and sitting over huge funds.

However, considering their plea, the bench, also comprising Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud, said, “It is directed that the BCCI shall honour the terms and conditions postulated in the contracts with the state associations in letter and spirit so that there is no impediment in holding the Test matches and ODIs.”

The court also issued similar directions for conducting IPL matches, beginning April 5, at 10 venues.