CHENNAI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday blasted the board after the panel it had appointed to oversee the transition process in BCCI sought the removal of the body’s top brass, including its president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke, for non-compliance.
The bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur took note of the submissions. He said these were serious allegations and BCCI had to follow directions of the court.
“If the BCCI think that they are a law unto themselves, then they are wrong. They have to comply with directions of the court. You (BCCI) are behaving like lords. Fall in line, otherwise we will make you fall in line,” the bench said.
“BCCI is bringing the system into disrepute by not following directions,” it added. “Law needs to not be defied. We are not happy about the things going on. We anticipated this approach from BCCI but this is not done. You will have to fall in line with directions of the court.”
Senior advocate Arvind Datar, appearing for the BCCI, said they had complied with most of the directions and would gradually comply with the rest.
The panel, in its status report, sought replacement of top officials, stating that the BCCI and its office-bearers were not complying with directions and were repeatedly issuing statements to undermine the authority of the court and the members of the Lodha panel, which had recommended structural reforms in the body.
The counsel appearing for the panel said the the BCCI was not replying to emails and other communications. A senior BCCI member felt not following orders might have grave consequences.