REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4235 OF 2014
Board of Control for Cricket in India

.....APPELLANT

Versus

Cricket Association of Bihar & Ors

.....RESPONDENTS

WITH
CIVIL APPEAL No. 4236 OF 2014
WITH
CIVIL APPEAL No. 1155 OF 2015

ORDER

This proceeding is a sequel to the order and directions issued on

21 October 2016. In the previous order of this Court, the status report submitted

Page1

by the three member Committee (consisting of Justice R M Lodha, Justice Ashok

Bhan and Justice R V Raveendran) was taken up for consideration.
2

The Committee was tasked with overseeing the implementation of the

judgment and order of this Court dated 18 July 2016. The judgment of this Court
has attained finality. Review and Curative petitions have also been dismissed. By
its judgment, this Court has accepted the recommendations made by the
Committee in a report dated 18 December 2015 providing for reforms in the
structure, organization and working of BCCI. Such an exercise is necessary in
order to make the functioning of BCCI transparent, objective and accountable to
the trust with which it is impressed, as a body which presides over the affairs of a
sport which has millions of followers. This Court had by its judgment expressed
the hope that the process of implementing its directions would be completed
within a period of four months or, at best, six months. The status report submitted
by the Committee recorded that the directions of this Court were ignored, actions
were taken by BCCI to present a fait accompli to the Committee and the
directives issued by the Committee were breached. The Committee observed
that BCCI has repeatedly taken steps to undermine its authority and this Court
with several statements and actions which are grossly out of order and would
even constitute contempt.
3

On 7 October 2016, while taking note of the status report submitted by the

Committee, this Court recorded the following prima facie findings :

Page2

The sequence of events.. since 18th July, 2016

and referred to in the status report prima facie give
an impression that BCCI has far from lending its
fullest cooperation to the Committee adopted an
obstructionist and at times a defiant attitude which
the Committee has taken note of and described as
an impediment undermining not only the Committee
but even the dignity of this Court with several
statements and actions which according to the
Committee are grossly out of order and may even
constitute contempt.

On 7 October 2016, this Court took note of the fact that despite the

directions which the Committee issued on 21 August 2016 that the AGM of BCCI
may transact only routine business for 2015-2016 and that any business or
matter for 2016-2017 may be dealt with only after the adoption of the
Memorandum of Association and rules in pursuance of the recommendations of
the Committee, substantial amounts running into crores of rupees were
disbursed in favour of State Associations. BCCI had informed the court that one
of the reasons for its failure to adopt the proposed MoA was the reluctance of its
State Associations to subscribe to it. In this background, the court was
constrained to issue directions inter alia to the effect that no further amounts shall
be disbursed to the State Associations except to those associations which
undertake the reforms suggested by the Committee and accepted by the court.
5

Another issue which was of concern was the conduct of the President of

BCCI (Mr Anurag Thakur) who, the Committee recorded as having asked the

Page3

CEO of ICC to state that the Committee appointed by this Court amounted to
governmental interference. It may be noted here that in an interview to the
electronic media, the CEO of ICC stated that the President of BCCI sought a
letter from ICC that the appointment of a nominee of CAG (as directed by this
Court on 18 July 2016 in terms of the recommendations of the Committee) would
amount to governmental interference inviting the suspension of BCCI from the
membership of ICC. By its order dated 7 October 2016, the President of BCCI
was directed to file a personal affidavit clarifying the position.
6

There were two versions before this Court in regard to what had transpired

between the President of BCCI and Mr Shashank Manohar, President of ICC at a

meeting that was held at Dubai on 6 and 7 August 2016 during an ICC
Governance Review Committee meeting. Mr. Ratnakar Shivaram Shetty, General
Manager of Admin and Game Development, BCCI had in his response stated as
follows :
It appears that an interview was given by Mr. David
Richardson the ICC CEO falsely stating that the
BCCI President had requested the ICC to issue a
letter stating that the intervention by this Honble
Court amounted to Governmental interference. It is
submitted that no such letter or oral request was
ever made to the said gentleman either by the BCCI
President or any office bearer of the BCCI. It is
apparent that Mr. Richardson has confused himself in
relation to the issue. This issue is required to be
considered in the light of the fact that Mr. Shashank
Manohar Senior Advocate had clearly opined as the
BCCI President that appointment of the CAG in the
BCCI shall result in suspension of the BCCI as it would

Page4

constitute governmental interference. In fact the same

had been submitted on affidavit before this Honble
Court. However, as Chairman of the ICC, Mr. Manohar
had taken a contrary stand and stated that it would not
amount to governmental interference. It was in this
context that a discussion took place between Mr.
Shashank Manohar and Mr. Anurag Thakur during a
meeting in Dubai wherein a clarification as sought
by Mr. Anurag Thakur during an informal discussion
on what the exact status would be if the CAG was
inducted by the BCCI as part of its management and
whether it would amount to governmental
interference as had been advised and affirmed by
Mr. Manohar during his stint as BCCI President.
(emphasis supplied)

Paragraph 7(d) of the response contains a statement that :

It is being incorrectly alleged that the
President BCCI made a request to the ICC to
issue a letter stating that this Committee
amounts to Governmental interference. This
suggestion is denied. (emphasis supplied)

On the other hand, the President of BCCI in his response (filed pursuant to the
directions of this Court) stated as follows :
In this context it is respectfully submitted that there
was an ICC governance review committee meeting
scheduled to be held in Dubai on 6th& 7th August
2016. There were certain issues relating to
financial model for which my inputs were required
and as such I was invited by ICC for the said
meeting. During the meeting with regard to the
review of the constitutional provisions of ICC, I
pointed out to the Chairman of the ICC, Mr.
Shashank Manohar that when he was the
President of BCCI he had taken a view that the
recommendations of the Justice Lodha committee

Page5

appointing the nominee of the CAG on the Apex

Council
would
amount
to
governmental
interference and might invoke an action of
suspension from ICC. I therefore requested him
that he being the ICC Chairman can a letter be
issued clarifying the position which he had
taken as BCCI President. Mr. Manohar explained
to me at the meeting that when the stand was
taken by him, the matter was pending before this
Honble Court and had not been decided.
However, on 18.07.2016 this Honble Court
delivered its judgment in the matter. In the said
judgment, this Honble Court has rejected the
submission that the appointment of the nominee of
CAG on Apex council would amount to
Governmental interference and had also held that
the ICC would appreciate the appointment as it
would bring transparency in the finances of the
Board. (emphasis supplied)

In the response filed by Mr Shetty on behalf of BCCI there was a specific

denial that its President had requested ICC to issue a letter stating that the
Committee amounted to governmental interference. On the other hand, in the
affidavit which the President of BCCI filed in pursuance of the directions of this
Court dated 7 October 2016 he accepted having made a request to the Chairman
of ICC for issuing a letter clarifying the position which he had taken as BCCI
President (that the recommendation of the Committee for appointment of a CAG
nominee would amount to governmental interference and may lead to a
suspension of BCCI from ICC membership). Mr Shetty had not disclosed that
there was any such request for a letter made by the President of BCCI whereas

Page6

according to the latter he had made such a request. Mr Shetty in fact denied that
any request for a letter was made to the ICC President by Mr Anurag Thakur.
8

This Court by its order dated 21 October 2016 observed as follows :

10. Be that as it may, it is a matter of serious
concern that the President of BCCI, even after the
declaration of the final judgment and order of this
Court dated 18 July 2016, requested the
Chairperson of ICC for a letter clarifying (as he
states) the position which he had taken as BCCI
President to the effect that the induction of a CAG
nominee
would
amount
to
governmental
interference and may result in BCCI being
suspended from ICC. There was no occasion for
the President of BCCI to do so once the
recommendation of the Committee for the
induction of a CAG nominee was accepted in the
final judgment of this Court. In the judgment of this
Court dated 18 May 2016, this Court observed as
follows :
77. There is, in our view, no basis for the
argument that any measure taken by the BCCI on
its own or under the direction of a competent court
specially when aimed at streamlining its working
and ensuring financial discipline, transparency and
accountability expected of an organization
discharging public functions such as BCCI may be
seen as governmental interference calling for
suspension/derecognition of the BCCI. Far from
finding fault with presence of a nominee of the
Accountant General of the State and C&AG, the
ICC would in our opinion appreciate any such step
for the same would prevent misgivings about the
working of the BCCI especially in relation to
management of its funds and bring transparency
and objectivity necessary to inspire public
confidence in the fairness and the effective
management of the affairs of the BCCI and the
State Associations. The nominees recommended
by the Committee would act as conscience

Page7

keepers of the State Association and BCCI in

financial matters and matters related or incidental
thereto which will in no way adversely impact the
performance or working of the BCCI for the
promotion and development of the game of cricket.
The criticism leveled against the recommendations
of the Committee is, therefore, unfounded and
accordingly rejected.
11 This finding which is contained in the final
judgment and order of this Court binds BCCI.
Prima facie, an effort has been made by the
President of BCCI to create a record in order to
question the legitimacy of the recommendation of
the Committee for the appointment of a CAG
nominee after the recommendation was accepted
by this Court on 18 July 2016. We presently defer
further consideration of the action to be taken with
reference to his conduct. Mr. Shetty in his
response to the status report claims that the CEO
of ICC had falsely stated in his interview that the
President of BCCI had requested ICC to issue a
letter stating that the intervention of this Court
amounted to governmental interference.
The
version of Mr. Shetty is at variance to what is
alleged to have been stated by the CEO of ICC. It
may also become necessary for this Court to
assess the veracity of the version of Mr. Shetty and
that of Mr. Richardson. Mr. Shashank Manohar,
the then President of BCCI is presently the
Chairman of ICC. A copy of this order shall be
forwarded to him by the Secretary to the
Committee in order to enable him to consider filing
a response setting out his version, to set the record
straight and assist this Court. Mr. Manohar is at
liberty to obtain a report from Mr. Richardson
before filing his response.

In pursuance of the directions issued by this Court on 21 October 2016, a

response received by Mr Shashank Manohar, President of ICC has been placed
before this Court by the Amicus Curiae.

Page8

After reviewing whether due and adequate steps were taken by BCCI to

implement the final judgment of this Court, this Court in its order dated
21 October 2016 recorded the following findings :
15. For the reasons which have weighed with us in
the earlier order of this Court dated 7 October 2016
and for those which we have adduced above, we
are inclined to take a serious view of the conduct of
BCCI in the present case. Despite the prima facie
findings which were arrived at in the previous
order, the further hearing was deferred. There has
been no change in the position of BCCI. The
intransigence continues. If BCCI had any
difficulties about adhering to the timelines laid
down by the Committee, the appropriate course
would have been to move the Committee. Even
the grievance which was urged during this
proceeding by BCCI, that some of the directions of
the Committee have travelled beyond the
parameters set by this Court can and ought to be
urged before the Committee in the first instance.
(emphasis supplied)

10

A statement was made on behalf of the BCCI by learned Senior Counsel

that BCCI would establish its bonafides before the Committee by establishing the
compliance made of those of its recommendations which are stated to have been
fulfilled. Accordingly, in order to furnish BCCI with an opportunity to demonstrate
its compliance with the directions of this Court, we desisted from issuing a
direction at that stage for the appointment of administrators (as sought by the
Committee) in the hope that BCCI would comply with the judgment and order of
this Court in the meantime. While doing so, this Court observed that :

Page9

10

19.We have presently come to the

conclusion that, prima facie, there is substance
in the status report submitted by the
Committee.
Implementation of the final
judgment of this Court dated 18 July 2016 has
prima facie been impeded by the intransigence
of BCCI and its office bearers.
However,
having due regard to the submission made on
behalf of BCCI that it would make every
genuine effort to persuade the state
associations to secure compliance with the
judgment of this Court, and having regard to
the larger interests of the game of cricket, we
are desisting from issuing a direction at this
stage in terms of the request made by the
Committee for appointment of administrators so as
to enable BCCI to demonstrate its good faith and
the steps taken for compliance both before the
Committee in the first instance and before this
Court by the next date of hearing. (emphasis
supplied)

11

In pursuance of the previous directions issued by this Court, on 21 October

2016, the Committee filed another status report on 7 November 2016 on which
orders were passed by this Court on 8 November 2016. The Committee has filed
another status report on 14 November 2016 seeking the following directions :
(i)

That all office bearers of BCCI and State Associations who stand
disqualified by virtue of the norms contained in its report dated 4
October 2016 and accepted by this Court must cease to hold office
forthwith;

(ii)

All administrative and management matters be carried out by the CEO

of BCCI without advertence to the office bearers; and

Page10

11

(iii)

Appointment of anamed observer to supervise the administration of

BCCI by the CEO.

The Committee has suggested that its own role may be confined to overall policy
and direction and not the actual administration of BCCI.
12

The President of BCCI has filed an affidavit in these proceedings on 3

December 2016. The affidavit states that neither the President nor the Secretary
of BCCI command voting rights in the meetings of the Working Committee. The
affidavit states in the following terms that the State Associations have declined to
accept the recommendations made by the Committee and accepted by this
Court :
Accordingly the Hon Secretary convened the said
meeting referred to above of the General Body of
the BCCI for the 30.9.2016.
The meeting resumed the next day i.e. on
1.10.2016.
I further state that I as Hon. President do not have
a vote when I sit in the general body meeting
neither does the Hon. Secretary.
I further state that I as a Hon. President am in
no position to force members to adopt the full
memorandum as recommended, even though
armed with an order of this Honble Court, as the
members are of the opinion that as per the
provisions of the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration
Act, 1975 under which the BCCI is registered, they
can amend their memorandum only when three
fourths of the members present and entitled to
vote, accept the changes to the memorandum.

Page11

12

I further state that another informal meeting of the

members was once again held in New Delhi on
15.10.2016, wherein I along with the Hon.
Secretary again conveyed to all the members
present that should they not adopt the
memorandum as proposed by the Lodha
Committee, all the payments due to the member
state associations would be stopped.
The members stuck to their stand that they would
abide by the new memorandum only as approved
by them with the changes as approved by them in
the adjourned meeting of the 30.9.2016,
irrespective of the fact that no further payments
would be made to them. The members were of
the view that a few of the Lodha Committee
recommendations were not in the interest of
Indian Cricket and would be a huge setback to
the game in India and destroy it completely..
As Hon. President, I am rendered totally
incapable and without any authority to force
the members, who are 30 in number and have
voting rights under the statute, to adopt the
entire memorandum as proposed for adoption
by
the
Hon.
Lodha
Committee.
(emphasis supplied)

13

The position as it has emerged before the court is that despite the fact that

there is a judgment and final order dated 18 July 2016 accepting the report
submitted by the Committee, the implementation of the directions issued by this
Court has been obstructed and impeded. By the order of this Court of 7 October
2016 and the subsequent directions that were issued on 21 October 2016,
sufficient time was granted to BCCI to abide by the judgment and order of this
Court.

Page12

13

14

Initially, as the Committee informed this Court, BCCI appeared to have

taken the position that it was only if its Review Petition as well as Curative
Petition were dismissed, that the recommendations of the Committee would be
accepted. This statement of BCCI at a meeting of its Working Committee held on
21 October 2016 was manifestly misconceived. Once this Court had affirmed the
recommendations of the Committee (with modifications) in a final judgment and
order dated 18 July 2016, the judgment had to be implemented as it stands. By
the Order of this Court dated 21 October 2016, this Court made it clear, if indeed
such a clarification was at all warranted, that :
A party to a litigation cannot be heard to say that it
would treat a judgment of this Court as not having
binding effect unless the Review or Curative
Petitions that it has filed are dismissed.

15

As a matter of record, both the Review as well as Curative petitions have

also been dismissed. Yet, the intransigence of BCCI has continued. The course
of events indicates that though sufficient opportunities have been granted to
BCCI to comply with the judgment and order of this Court, it has failed to do so.
The President and Secretary and office bearers of BCCI have obstructed the
implementation of the final directions of this Court on the basis of a specious plea
that its State Associations are not willing to abide by the directions. This Court
having furnished sufficient opportunities to BCCI to comply, it is constrained now

Page13

14

to take recourse to coercive steps to ensure that the directions contained in its
final judgment and order are not left to be a writ in sand.
16

The Committee consists of a former Chief Justice of India and two former

Judges of the Supreme Court. They have together been tasked with overseeing
implementation of the judgment of this Court. Yet, the Committee has repeatedly
been confronted with a barrage of unfortunate comments by BCCI in Press
conferences and in correspondence with an intent that it should be led to a
situation where it throws up its arms in despair and frustration.
17

Among the recommendations of the Committee that have been accepted

by this Court are the following disqualifications for being an office bearer of BCCI
and of the State Associations :
A person shall be disqualified from being an Office Bearer if he
or she :
(a) Is not a citizen of India;
(b) Has attained the age of 70 years;
(c) Is declared to be insolvent, or of unsound mind;
(d) Is a Minister or Government Servant;
(e) Holds any office or post in a sports or athletic association or
federation apart from cricket;
(f) Has been an Office Bearer of the BCCI for a cumulative
period of 9 years;
(g) Has been charged by a Court of Law for having committed
any criminal offence.

18

The Committee has in its status report dated 14 November 2016 drawn the

attention of the court to the fact that several office bearers both of BCCI and the
State Associations continue to hold posts although they stand disqualified in

Page14

15

terms of the above norms which have been accepted by this Court. Persons who
have a vested interest in continuing in their positions inspite of the norms noted
above have ensured that the writ of the court is obstructed and impeded. We
need to emphasise that the turf of the cricket field is not a personal turf or
fiefdom. We must hence order and direct that no person shall hereafter continue
to be or be entitled for appointment as office bearer of BCCI or a State
Association in breach of the above norms. All existing office bearers of BCCI and
of the State Associations who do not fulfill the above norms shall with effect from
the date of this Order stand disqualified.
19

That leads the court to the issue of the conduct of Shri Anurag Thakur,

President of BCCI. By the final judgment and order of this Court dated 18 July
2016, the plea that the appointment of a nominee of CAG would amount to
governmental interference with the affairs of BCCI was specifically negatived. By
its judgment, this Court had observed as follows :
77. There is, in our view, no basis for the
argument that any measure taken by the BCCI on
its own or under the direction of a competent court
specially when aimed at streamlining its working
and ensuring financial discipline, transparency and
accountability expected of an organization
discharging public functions such as BCCI may be
seen as governmental interference calling for
suspension/derecognition of the BCCI. Far from
finding fault with presence of a nominee of the
Accountant General of the State and C&AG, the
ICC would in our opinion appreciate any such step
for the same would prevent misgivings about the
working of the BCCI especially in relation to

Page15

16

management of its funds and bring transparency

and objectivity necessary to inspire public
confidence in the fairness and the effective
management of the affairs of the BCCI and the
State Associations. The nominees recommended
by the Committee would act as conscience
keepers of the State Association and BCCI in
financial matters and matters related or incidental
thereto which will in no way adversely impact the
performance or working of the BCCI for the
promotion and development of the game of cricket.
The criticism leveled against the recommendations
of the Committee is, therefore, unfounded and
accordingly rejected.

20

Once this position had been laid down by the court, there was no occasion

for the President of BCCI at the ICC Governance Review Committee Meeting
held at Dubai on 6 and 7 August 2016 to solicit a letter from the Chairperson of
ICC. Such a solicitation was but an effort to thwart the implementation of the
orders of the court. An attempt was made to build up a record to indicate that
implementing the orders of the Supreme Court of India would run the risk of
endangering the status of BCCI as a member of ICC. In pursuance of the Order
of this Court, Mr. Shashank Manohar (President ICC) has in an email dated
2 November 2016 addressed to the Committee made the following disclosure :
I would like to state that there was a meting of the
Working Group of the ICC held at Dubai on the 6 th
August, 2016 to consider the ICCs Governance
and Financial Structure. At the meeting, apart from
myself and Mr Anurag Thakur, Mr Giles Clarke,
Mr David Peever and Mr Imran Khwaja, who are all
Directors of ICC were present. The ICC CEO,
Mr David Richardson and ICC COO Mr. Lain
Higgins were also present..

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During the meeting Mr Thakur pointed out to

me that when I was the President of BCCI a
submission was advanced before the Supreme
Court at my behest that the appointment of a
nominee of the CAG on the Apex Council might
amount to Governmental interference and
would invoke an action of suspension from the
ICC. He therefore requested me to issue a letter
to that effect in my capacity as ICC Chairman..
I declined to issue such a letter and explained to
him that the said submission was advanced before
the Hon Supreme Court when the court was
hearing the matter. However, on 18-7-2016 the
Hon SC delivered its judgment in the matter and
rejected the submission that the appointment of a
nominee of the CAG would amount to
governmental interference. The Hon SC further
held that the appointment of the CAG nominee on
the Apex Council either made by the BCCI on its
own or under the orders of a competent court
aimed at bringing financial discipline and
transparency cannot be seen as governmental
interference calling for suspension of the BCCI by
the ICC..
The Hon SC further held that the ICC would
appreciate the appointment of such a nominee as
the same would bring transparency in the finances
of the Board..
I therefore explained to Mr Thakur that the issue
having been decided by the Hon Supreme Court of
India, which is the highest court of the country and
whose judgment binds everybody, I cannot give
him any such letter. (emphasis supplied)

21

The response by Mr Shashank Manohar indicates that the President of

BCCI requested him on 6 August 2016 to issue a letter in his capacity as ICC
Chairman in terms of the position that he had adopted as the President of BCCI

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(that the appointment of a CAG nominee would amount to governmental

interference and would invoke an action of suspension from ICC). The conduct
of the President of BCCI in seeking a letter from the President of ICC in August
2016, after the final judgment and Order of this Court, is nothing but an attempt
on the part of the head of BCCI to evade complying, with the Order of this Court.
That he sought a letter is clear even from the affidavit of Mr Thakur dated 15
October 2016 (though he states that he had requested the ICC Chairman to
clarify the position which he had taken as BCCI President). Even going by that
version, we are constrained to note that there was absolutely no occasion for the
President of BCCI to solicit any such clarification from the Chairperson of ICC in
the teeth of the judgment that was delivered by this Court. Moreover, we find
adequate reasons to doubt the veracity of the explanation which has been
tendered by Mr Thakur about the sequence of events. It must be noted that in the
response which was filed by Mr Ratnakar Shivaram Shetty to the status report of
the Committee there was a reference to a discussion which took place between
Mr Manohar and Mr Thakur in Dubai and to a clarification sought by the latter on
what the exact status would be if a CAG nominee was inducted by BCCI.
Mr Shetty specifically denied that Mr Thakur had requested the ICC Chairperson
to issue a letter. Mr Shettys response was based on records. This reference to
some clarification was evidently not on the basis of the minutes of the purported
meeting of BCCI Working Committee held on 22 August 2016 which were placed
on record by learned Senior Counsel for BCCI during the course of the hearing

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prior to the Order of this Court dated 21 October 2016. If those minutes were
before Mr Shetty, he would have made a disclosure in their terms. The purported
minutes read as follows :
Mr. Anurag Thakur was in the Chair and called the
meeting to order and welcomed the members. He
briefed the members about his meeting with the
ICC Chairman at Dubai during the ICC governance
review committee meeting on 6th & 7th August
2016. Certain financial mode inputs were required
during the said meeting which he gave. During the
meeting with regard to the review of the
constitutional provisions of ICC it was informed by
Mr. Thakur that he asked Chairman ICC Mr.
Shashank Manohar that when he was the
President of BCCI he had taken a view that the
recommendations of Justice Lodha committee
appointing the nominee of the CAG on the Apex
Council
would
amount
to
governmental
interference and might invoke an action of
suspension from ICC. It was therefore requested
from him that he being the ICC Chairman could
a letter be issued clarifying the position which
he had taken as BCCI President. Mr. Manohar
thereafter explained that when the stand was taken
by him the matter was pending before the
Supreme Court and was not decided. However on
18th of July 2016 the Hon. Supreme Court of India
delivered its judgment and the Court has rejected
the submission that the appointment of the
nominee of CAG on Apex council will amount to
Governmental interference and had also held that
the ICC would appreciate the appointment as it
would bring transparency in the finances of the
Board. The discussion stopped in view of his
explanation on this issue. (emphasis supplied)

22

Prima facie it would appear that these minutes had not seen the light of the

day when the response by Mr Shetty to the status report of the Committee was

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filed, and have been fabricated subsequently to lend credence to the version of
Mr Thakur. The statement that Mr Manohar was requested to clarify the position
which he had taken as BCCI President is falsified by Mr Manohars disclosure
that he was asked to give a letter in his capacity as ICC Chairman.The version of
Mr Thakur that he had requested Mr Manohar that he being ICC Chairman can a
letter be issued clarifying the position which he had taken as BCCI President is
belied by the disclosure which has been made by Mr Shashank Manohar.
Mr Manohar s response dated 2 November 2016 clearly indicates that during the
course of the meeting at Dubai on 6 August 2016, Mr Thakur requested him to
issue a letter in his capacity as ICC Chairperson that the appointment of a
nominee of CAG in BCCI might amount to governmental interference, leading to
action of suspension from ICC. Prima facie, it emerges from the record that
Mr Thakur did seek such a letter from the ICC Chairperson as stated by
Mr Manohar. The disclosure which Mr Thakur has made in his affidavit dated 15
October 2016 is prima facie false to his knowledge. Prima facie, we also find that
the minutes of the meeting of the Working Committee of BCCI which were
produced before this Court have been made up to lend support to the version of
Mr Thakur.
23

We accordingly have arrived at the conclusion that Mr Thakur has by his

actions and conduct rendered himself unfit for continuance as President of BCCI,
for the following reasons :

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Firstly, he has obstructed and impeded the implementation of the directions

contained in the judgment and order of this Court dated 18 July 2016. His own
version is that he has been rendered totally incapable and without any authority
to compel the members to comply with the orders of this Court. This is indicative
of his having washed his hands off a duty and obligation to ensure compliance.
Secondly, we are prima facie of the view that Mr Thakur is liable to be proceeded
with for contempt of court for having obstructed and impeded the orders of this
Court.
Thirdly, prima facie we are of the view that Mr Thakur has made statements on
affidavit before this Court which are false to his knowledge. A notice to show
cause should be issued to Mr Thakur why he should not be proceeded with
under Section 195 read with Section 340 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1973 for having made false statements before this Court.
24

In determining the modalities to be followed, we have drawn sustenance

from an order dated 28 March 2014 passed by a Bench of two learned Judges of
this Court consisting of Honble Mr Justice A K Patnaik and Honble Mr Justice F
M I Kalifulla. In view of the circumstances which had then arisen resulting in the
President of BCCI being unable to perform his duties, this Court appointed a
distinguished cricket sportsperson, as an interim measure, to exercise the
powers of the President in relation to IPL 2014. With regard to all other matters,

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the senior most Vice-President of BCCI was under the orders of the Court
permitted to discharge the functions of the President, BCCI.
25

For the above reasons, we order and direct as follows :

(i)

All the office bearers of BCCI and of its affiliated State Associations who
fail to meet the norms recommended by the Committee and accepted by
this Court, shall forthwith demit and cease to hold office namely:
A person shall be disqualified from being an Office Bearer if he or she :
(a) Is not a citizen of India;
(b) Has attained the age of 70 years;
(c) Is declared to be insolvent, or of unsound mind;
(d) Is a Minister or government servant;
(e) Holds any office or post in a sports or athletic
association or federation apart from cricket;
(f) Has been an Office Bearer of the BCCI for a
cumulative period of 9 years;
(g) Has been charged by a Court of Law for having
committed any criminal offence.

(ii)

Shri Anurag Thakur, President of BCCI and Shri Ajay Shirke, Secretary,
BCCI shall forthwith cease and desist from being associated with the
working of BCCI;

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(iii)

A notice to show cause shall issue to Mr Anurag Thakur to explain why he

should not be proceeded against under the provisions of Section 195 read
with Section 340 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973;

(iv)

A notice to show cause shall issue to Mr Anurag Thakur to explain why he

should not be proceeded with under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971;

(v)

A Committee of administrators shall supervise the administration of BCCI

through its Chief Executive Officer;

(vi)

This Court shall by a separate order nominate the persons who shall form
part of the Committee of administrators. In order to enable the Court to
have the benefit of objective assistance in making the nominations, we
request Mr Fali S Nariman, learned Senior Counsel and Mr Gopal
Subramaniam, the learned Amicus Curiae to assist the Court by
suggesting names of persons with integrity and experience in managing a
similar enterprise. We request the learned Counsel appearing on behalf of
the parties to also place their suggestions before the Court so as to
facilitate a considered decision;

(vii)

In addition to the function assigned in (v) above, the Committee of

administrators shall also ensure that the directions contained in the
judgment of this Court dated 18 July 2016 (which accepted the report of
the Committee with modifications) are fulfilled and to adopt all necessary
and consequential steps for that purpose;

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(viii) In view of the directions contained in (ii) above, the senior most
Vice-President of BCCI shall perform the duties of the President, BCCI and
the Joint Secretary shall perform the duties of Secretary. Those of the
office bearers of BCCI who are not disqualified in terms of clause (i) above
(other than the President and Secretary) may continue subject to their filing
an unconditional undertaking before this Court within four weeks of the
date of this order to abide by and implement the directions contained in the
judgment dated 18 July 2016. Upon the Committee of administrators as
nominated by this Court assuming charge, the existing office bearers shall
function subject to the supervision and control of the Committee of
administrators. The Committee of administrators would have the power to
issue all appropriate directions to facilitate due supervision and control;
and
(ix)

The remuneration payable to the members of the Committee of

Administrators shall be fixed in consultation with the Committee consisting
of Mr Justice R M Lodha, Mr Justice Ashok Bhan and Mr Justice R V
Raveendran.The role of the Justice R M Lodha Committee shall hereafter
be confined to overall policy and direction on such matters as may be
referred by this Court.

(x)

We would request the leaned Senior Counsel and the learned Amicus
Curiae to endeavour to submit their suggestions to this Court within two
weeks. The proceedings shall be listed before this Court on 19 January

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2017 for pronouncement of directions in regard to the names of the

administrators.
26

There shall accordingly be an order in these terms.

..............................................CJI
[T.S. THAKUR]
...............................................J
[A. M. KHANWILKAR]
..................................................J
[Dr D Y CHANDRACHUD]

New Delhi
January 02, 2017

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