New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday while deferring the announcement on a ‘committee of administrators’ for the Board of Control for Cricket in India till January 30, made it clear that no one above 70 years will be in the committee.
A three-judge bench of Justices Dipak Misra, A.M. Kanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud had on January 20 said it will set up the panel on Tuesday. During the resumed hearing, attorney general Mukul Rohatgi opposed anyone being appointed above the age of 70 years which is not in consonance with the Justice Lodha panel recommendations.
However, he urged the court to hold back the order as the Centre is mulling a uniform policy for functioning of all sports associations in the country, without compromising on their autonomy. He said this can be done either through an executive action or through a legislation keeping in mind the ramifications in domestic as well as in international arena.
The two-member amicus curie team of senior advocates Gopal Subramanian and Anil Divan had earlier given a list of nine names in a sealed cover to the top court for appointment as “administrators” which contained names of even those who have crossed 70 years. Taking note of the AG’s submission, the bench said it will not appoint anyone above the age of 70 years. However, Justice Misra said the Centre was free to come out with its new policy for State bodies “without destroying their autonomy.”
The apex court had on January 2, decided to set up a “committee of administrators” to run the BCCI after sacking incumbent president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke, as they failed to ensure implementation of the various far reaching reform measures suggested by the Lodha panel.
The bench also permitted the Centre and the BCCI and state associations to give their own list of names for appointment in the “committee of administrators” after the AG, on behalf of Centre and senior counsel Kapil Sibal appearing for various state associations, complained that they should also be allowed to give their list of names. Justice Misra, while allowing to suggest their own names, said it would finalise the committee on January 30, at the next date of hearing.
The BCCI was also asked to give names to represent it the ensuing ICC meeting in England.
