NewKerala.com

Supreme Court Lifts Ban, Anurag Thakur Free to Rejoin BCCI Affairs

The Supreme Court has lifted the ban prohibiting BJP MP Anurag Thakur from being associated with the BCCI, nearly nine years after imposing it. A bench led by CJI Surya Kant modified its 2017 order, noting the restraint was not meant to be lifelong and that Thakur had apologized. Thakur was originally removed as BCCI president for refusing to implement the Justice Lodha Committee's governance reforms. The court has now clarified he is free to participate in the cricket board's internal and administrative affairs.

Key Points: SC Lifts Ban on Anurag Thakur from BCCI After 9 Years

  • SC lifts 9-year-old ban on Anurag Thakur
  • Ban stemmed from defiance of Lodha Committee reforms
  • Thakur had tendered unconditional apology
  • He is now free to participate in BCCI administration
  • 2017 order removed him as BCCI president
2 min read

Free to take part in BCCI affairs, says SC while lifting ban on Anurag Thakur

Supreme Court modifies 2017 order, allowing BJP MP Anurag Thakur to participate in BCCI affairs after he tendered an unconditional apology.

"the ban was never intended to operate as a lifelong disqualification - CJI Surya Kant-led Bench"

New Delhi, Feb 5

The Supreme Court on Thursday lifted the ban on BJP MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur from holding office in the Board of Control for Cricket in India, nearly nine years after removing him as the cricket body's president.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi modified its January 2017 order, which had directed Thakur to "cease and desist from being associated with the working of the BCCI".

Allowing Thakur's application, the CJI Kant-led Bench observed that the ban was never intended to operate as a lifelong disqualification.

In its order, the Supreme Court noted that the restraint had continued for nearly nine years and that Thakur had already tendered an unconditional apology in the matter.

The Apex Court clarified that Thakur - the Member of Parliament from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur constituency - is now free to take part in the internal, administrative, and other affairs of the BCCI in accordance with its rules and regulations.

On January 2, 2017, Thakur was removed as BCCI president for refusing to implement the recommendations of the Justice R. M. Lodha Committee on structural and governance reforms in the cricket body.

In its 2017 order, a Bench led by then CJI T.S. Thakur had found that the BCCI leadership had adopted an obstructionist and defiant approach in implementing the Top Court-mandated reforms.

At the time, the Supreme Court directed that Anurag Thakur, as president, and Ajay Shirke, as secretary of the BCCI, "shall forthwith cease and desist from being associated with the working of the BCCI," while also initiating contempt proceedings against Thakur.

The Apex Court not only restrained him from associating with the cricket body's functioning but also ordered that a Committee of Administrators supervise the BCCI.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
I have mixed feelings. On one hand, everyone deserves a second chance. On the other, his defiance delayed crucial reforms in cricket administration. Hope he has truly learned his lesson.
R
Rohit P
SC's 2017 order was necessary to clean up BCCI. But a lifelong ban for not following Lodha panel recommendations? That seemed too harsh. Nine years is a long time. Justice served.
S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan, my primary concern is good governance. The court has clarified the ban wasn't meant to be lifelong. Let's see if his return actually benefits Indian cricket or just brings back old politics.
V
Vikram M
This sets a good precedent. The law should have room for reform and forgiveness. He was a young president then, made a mistake by defying the court. He's paid the price. Time to move on.
K
Karthik V
With all due respect to the Honourable Court, I'm not sure this sends the right message to other sports administrators. Defying Supreme Court orders had consequences, but now it seems like a timeout rather than a real penalty. The power of cricket administration in India is immense and needs the highest accountability.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50