SC Sacks Anurag Thakur As BCCI Chief, Issues Notice For Perjury

FILE: Anurag Thakur, newly-elected president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), gestures during a news conference in Mumbai, India, May 22, 2016.

In a big blow to BCCI, the Supreme Court removed BCCI chief Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke from their posts in a bid to ensure smooth implementation of reforms proposed by the court appointed panel.

The apex court has also issued show cause notices to both the officials on charges of perjury and contempt of court. The duo have been found guilty of lying to the court about a letter written to the ICC chief David Richardson seeking protection for BCCI from reforms suggested by the Justice R M Lodha panel.

The court observed that BCCI has blocked the implementation of key reforms and have sought an undertaking from all office bearers of the board and state associations agreeing to abide by recommendations of the Lodha Committee.

"It is victory for the game of cricket and it will flourish. Administrator come and go but it is for the benefit of the game & the game will flourish," said Justice Lodha in New Delhi.

The Supreme Court said a committee of administrators will look after the BCCI's affairs. The senior-most BCCI vice-president will act as president while the joint-secretary will act as secretary. The court has requested senior advocate Fali Nariman and Gopal Subramaniam to assist in nominating persons of impeccable integrity as members of committee of administrators

The Lodha panel recommended reforms that prevents anyone above 70 yrs, ministers, govt servants, convicted persons and those holding post for cumulative term of 9 years from becoming office bearers of the board.