BCCI vs Lodha Panel: Jail spectre for Thakur in Supreme Court observation

Also, the apex court charged BCCI of obstructing the Lodha panel reforms, already accepted by the apex court.

BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke. | (File | PTI)

CHENNAI: Top BCCI officials may feel uneasy celebrating New Year this time. Following the Supreme Court observation that president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke could face action because of "contempt and perjury", they have to think how to frame apologies to escape prosecution when the court passes verdict on January 3.

Thursday was yet another day of strong observations, as the special bench headed by CJI TS Thakur levelled the serious charge of lying to the court under oath against the BCCI president.

It said Thakur had misled the court about the ICC's stand on the reform measures. He has been given a week's time to apologise. If the court finds him guilty, Thakur might be jailed.

The Lodha panel's lawyer alleged that Thakur had lied on asking the ICC for a letter saying having a nominee of the Comptroller and Auditor General on its apex council would amount to government intervention.

This apparently became clear from ICC chairman Shashank Manohar's affidavit. Top ICC sources had told Express earlier that following orders of the country's highest court doesn't amount to government interference in its rule book.

The BCCI lawyer told the court that Thakur had merely sought Manohar's opinion as a former BCCI chief, but added that he is ready to apologise. This leaves Thakur with the unenviable choice of facing perjury charges or tendering apology for lying to the court, which will also be an embarrassment for the BJP MP.

Shirke's name also came up for contempt of court because the court holds him responsible for being part of the process to stall reform measures. He was appointed the secretary at the annual general meeting in September under debatable circumstances after the court-appointed Lodha panel adjudged proceedings of the meeting null and void.

Names sought to run board

The court also asked the BCCI about the Lodha commission's recommendation that the current set of office-bearers be removed for obstructing reforms and former home secretary GK Pillai appointed an observer to run the day to day affairs.

After hearing the board's objection against Pillai, the court asked its lawyer to come back in a week with names who they think can run Indian cricket.