Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke sacked by the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India today sacked Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke during a hearing where it will pass an order after the BCCI failed to comply and implement the recommendations of the SC appointed Lodha committee. They have also been handed a show cause notice on why contempt and perjury proceedings should not be initiated against them.

For the time being, the SC has asked the senior most vice-president of the BCCI who falls under the age or conflict of interest parameters of the Lodha panel to chair the meetings while it will appoint the new set of administrators in the next hearing on January 19. The court is also open to suggestions from the BCCI for the appointments.

After the news broke former chief justice of India RM Lodha who was heading the committee was quoted by ANI as saying, “This was to happen, and now this has happened. Had submitted 3 reports before Supreme court, even then it wasn’t implemented. Once committee’s reforms were accepted by SC in its 18 July order, it had to be implemented, this is logical consequence.” He said.

Ajay Shirke said he wouldn’t want to respond to it since it is a judgment from the apex court. “If I am removed, there is absolutely no issue. I will go back to my work,” he was quoted on CNN News 18. “The enforcement of the order is not in my individual control. The members decide. It is the members’ board. They have accepted many recommendations. Now that the Supreme Court has settled the matter, let the new dispensation carry on the good new work. I have nothing more to add.”

SC says that the BCCI and state board officials failed to implement its orders to bring transparency and accountability in cricket body

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 2, 2017

SC says as per July 18, 2016 order, these (Anurag Thakur & Ajay Shirke) 2 officials did not comply with its order and thereby been removed

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 2, 2017