BCCI doing public service, subject to rule of law: SC

The Supreme Court of Inia recently said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is doing a public service as the governing body and not any business, making it subject to the rule of law. The SC seemed to be severely harsh on the cricket governing body.

“The BCCI is not doing any business or trade but running an activity. It is subject to rule of law as it is discharging a public function. No one is above the law and BCCI is also subject matter of law,” senior advocate Gopal Subramanium told the bench headed by Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice F.M.I. Kalifulla.

Earlier, the Lodha Committee had cited a series of reforms and suggested the Indian cricket board to abide by them and incorporate them in their functioning.

Subramanium was appointed as amicus curiae by the apex court in the case. The recommendations of Justice R.M. Lodha panel for whole-scale structural reforms in the board were supported by the Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) on Wednesday.

The CAB counsel also said any association engaging in a specific activity can be regulated and it will not amount to a violation of any fundamental rights. The bench said the Board of Control for Cricket in India reforms are aimed with the objective of bringing in transparency, accountability, and objectivity, and as such it doesn’t involve any violation of fundamental rights of the citizens.

However, the apex court said that the constitution of the BCCI is “highly incapable” to provide “transparency, objectivity and accountability” and a complete overhaul of it is required.

Read more – BCCI can’t provide transparency: Supreme Court