Giving a jolt to BCCI, SC freezes its financial transactions

New Delhi: In a major blow to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Supreme Court on Friday ordered freezing of financial transactions between it and its state associations with immediate effect. The freezing also includes funds for match purposes. The apex court has directed the Lodha Committee to appoint an independent auditor for the financial scrutiny of the board’s accounts and high value contracts awarded by it.

The SC, however, said that the funds would be released after the board proves its genuineness of association affidavits to abide and implement reforms recommended by the Lodha Committee. BCCI President Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirkey have been asked by the court to file an affidavit by December 3, stating the details of implementation of suggestions by Lodha panel’s July 18 judgement on the reforms and how much time it would require to do so.

Thakur himself has been asked by the SC to personally appear before the committee and explain how the board plans to implement all reforms.

A copy of the Supreme Court's order has to be sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to make them aware of the sanctions on the BCCI.

Also Read: Lodha committee clarifies: Did not direct to seize BCCI’s accounts

The recommendations from Lodha panel included:

• Civil servants above 70 years age are prohibited from becoming its members
• Court accepts Lodha Committees’ recommendation of having a CAG nominee in the BCCI
• SC rejected BCCI’s objection against recommendation of one-State-one-vote
• States like Maharashtra and Gujarat will have voting rights on a rotational basis
• There should be a players association in the BCCI
• One person should hold one post in cricket administration to avoid any conflict of interest
• SC asks Parliament to decide whether BCCI should come under RTI or not
• Decision of legalising the betting is also left with the parliament
• Bench requested a three-member panel to look after the transition of administrative structure in the BCCI