BCCI v Lodha 1-day ultimatum ends in anti-climax – SC postpones hearing
After giving a 1-day ultimatum to the BCCI, the Supreme Court did a U-turn today and has deferred the hearing on the matter of BCCI vs Lodha Committee to October 17. The apex court will be in recess for the next 10 days, which has given the under-fire Board few more days to implement the changes.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had served an ultimatum to the BCCI asking them to submit an undertaking by October 7 that the Board will implement all the recommendations made by the Lodha Committee. The move came after the BCCI had, last week, decided to only partially implement the Lodha recommendations. After the Lodha Panel accused the Board of defying the apex court's orders in its status report, the Supreme Court had pulled up the BCCI and had asked them to 'fall in line'.
Subsequently, the Lodha Committee had moved to court seeking the removal of the BCCI's top brass, including its president Anurag Thakur. The SC was expected to make their ruling on that plea of the Lodha Committee, however, it seems like it will have to wait until October 17 after the apex court decided on a 10-day recess.
The events have left a cloud of uncertainty hanging over Indian cricket at the moment. Reports suggest that the Board is considering the option of staying out of international cricket and stopping the IPL. Even the Indian domestic season might be postponed till the uncertainty over the Board's future is cleared.
"There is no clarity on anything. The members have no idea how the board will be run. The BCCI is governed by the Tamil Nadu Societies Act and it is now clear that the Supreme Court does not recognize this act," a member association official was quoted as saying by the TOI.