BCCI vs. Contempt of Court

Arjun J Chaudhuri

The latest international cricket series between Indian and New-Zealand indicates that cricket’s governing body, BCCI may cancel ongoing cricket series between Indian and New Zealand with still test match and 5-ODIs left to go, after Supreme Court official-appointed Justice RM Lodha committee panel issued its letter to banks directing such financial institutions not to allow BCCI access to funds, and freeze their bank-A/Cs.

The BCCI alleges to be humiliated by judicial action of Supreme Court official appointed Justice RM Lodha committee panel and claims that it is unable to effectively function or hold and host any further cricket matches because it is unable to make payments.

The BCCI through its emergent working committee meeting on 30th September took its decision to disburse funds to member associations that is not emergent, and therefore contrary to actual directions of Justice RM Lodha committee panel. This act of BCCI is in breach of Supreme Court of India’s judgment, and therefore in violation of direct court order of Hon’ble Supreme-Court of India, punishable by contempt of court Act 1971, if said Court decides to take cognizance of violation.

The embargo of funds placed by Justice RM Lodha committee panel is to ensure BCCI is compliant with Timelines set out by Justice RM Lodha committee panel for implementing the committee’s recommendations which includes funds disbursement policy to be framed by 30September.

What has been illegally distributed is compensation that BCCI had received from broadcasters following cancellation of champions-League T-20 to each of its 25 member associations which amount to Rs. 19 Crore each; despite e-mails by committee representative stating that said transaction is neither routine nor emergent.

Comparing it to bitter-pill of demonitization that is effectively-aiming, and succeeding in holding-accountable those individuals, groups, and entities in possession of black money, carrying out benami transactions, and therefore money laundering sourced from bribery and corruption or in negating-efforts of foreigners that seek to spread economic terrorism by counterfeiting or foreign sponsored terrorism who seek to finance local-terrorism, it is these concurrent-acts of executive  and judiciary which is attempting once and for all to restore our Society to state of being virus free.

While it has been repeatedly discussed across forums that change is required in functioning of BCCI, it has never been actually implemented until now…

Only electorate help and support will ensure that it well and truly continues. JAI-HIND…