Supreme Court lifts ban on Anurag Thakur from participating in BCCI affairs after modifying 2017 order

The order literally clears the way for ex BCCI chief to participate in board's affairs in accordance with its rules and regulations.

The Supreme Court has allowed former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur to participate in board meetings after he tendered an unqualified apology.

The apex court applied 'doctrine of proportionality' and modified its January 2017 order on Thursday (February 5) that had asked Thakur to 'cease and desist' from BCCI affairs.

It is worth mentioning that Thakur had moved the SC seeking modification of an earlier top court order directing him to 'cease and desist' from BCCI affairs.

The apex court had initiated contempt and perjury proceedings against Thakur on January 2, 2017 for filing a false affidavit regarding writing to the then International Cricket Council (ICC) chairperson Shashank Manohar on the issue of the BCCI's autonomy.

It may be recalled that in 2017, the apex court had removed Thakur from BCCI chief's post and initiated contempt and perjury proceedings against him. Though the proceedings were later dropped, he was barred from associating with BCCI. The case related to implementation of Lodha committee guidelines.

On July 14, 2017, the top court granted relief to Thakur and dropped the contempt and perjury proceedings against him after he tendered an unconditional and unequivocal apology to it in person.

And on Thursday, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi applied the doctrine of proportionality and modified the January 2017 order.

(with Bar and Bench/agency inputs)