Lodha panel effect: Supreme Court asks BCCI why ministers need to be part of cricket-related matters

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Board of Cricket for Control in India (BCCI) the reason behind their insistence to keep ministers involved in cricket related matters.

Discussing the affidavit filed by the BCCI against swooping reforms suggested by Lodha panel, the apex court told the Indian board "you want free hand to deal with crores of rupees".

The court also asked BCCI to submit details of funds it gave to state cricket associations in the last five years.

The Indian board has submitted a 60-page affidavit against the recommendations to the apex court.

Ever since the reforms were suggested, several voices from within the board have expressed their resentment against the implementation of the recommendations.

Earlier, Cricket Association of Bihar secretary Aditya Verma filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking implementation of Lodha panel recomendation in BCCI.

The apex court-appointed Lodha Committee on January 4 recommended sweeping reforms and an administrative shake-up for the troubled BCCI by suggesting that ministers be barred from occupying positions, a cap put on the age and tenure of the office-bearers and legalisation of betting.

In a series of drastic recommendations, the three-member panel, also comprisiing formers apex court judges Ashok Bhan and R V Raveendran suggested that one unit should represent only one state, while taking away the voting rights of institutional and city-based units.

It suggested restructuring of the BCCI's administrative set-up, proposing the position of a CEO to run daily affairs of the Board accountable to a nine-member apex council.

Among the most sensational suggestions by the Lodha panel was the one on legalising betting. It felt that the move would help curb corruption in the game and recommended that except for players and officials, people should be allowed to place bets on registered websites.

(With PTI inputs)