The Lodha Panel, on Wednesday, demanded from the Supreme Court that top officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) be punished as they are not keen on implementing the reforms. The Justice RM Lodha-led committee submitted their report to the apex court in the morning and also demanded an urgent hearing on the matter.
If Anurag Thakur and the rest of the BCCI bigwigs go scot-free now, remains to be seen. According to the Press Trust of India, the panel has sought the removal of BCCI's top brass for non-compliance of its recommendations.
The Chief Justice Of India (CJI) has meanwhile stated: "We will hear the matter", reported ANI. They have given the Indian cricket board time until October 6 to respond to the Lodha panel's report where they have charged the BCCI of stalling every step for reform.
"If BCCI thinks they are law unto themselves, they are wrong," said CJI TS Thakur. "When the high powered committee gives its report, we don't expect this sort of conduct from BCCI. Fall in line otherwise we will pass orders," Justice Thakur added.
IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla, meanwhile, will be meeting Finance Minister Arun Jaitely over the issue to discuss the way ahead.
On September 21, BCCI held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai where they elected several committees, violating the Lodha Panel orders. The cricket board are due to meet again on September 30 in a Special General Meeting (SGM).
The Lodha Panel has set two deadlines for the BCCI -- firstly, September 30 to make constitutional changes and secondly, December 15 for the Board to form a nine-member Apex committee which replaces the working committee.
"We have submitted the timelines given to BCCI that are integral to compliance of SC order," Justice Lodha told CNN News 18 on Wednesday. "Recommended the structure that would be good for BCCI after proper consultations, BCCI was also consulted; We must respect SC."
