Cricket Association of Bihar secretary Aditya adds to Indian cricket board's woes after Lodha panel instructs BCCI to implement 15 steps by October 15
Board of Control for Cricket in India President Anurag Thakur at the Mumbai headquarters last May
Cricket Association of Bihar (CAB) secretary Aditya Verma, who slammed former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju's new post with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), will now file a petition in the apex court against Indian cricket governing body's president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke for contempt of court.
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Board of Control for Cricket in India President Anurag Thakur at the Mumbai headquarters last May
According to SC instructions, Shirke met members of the Justic Lodha committee. He also carried a letter on behalf of Thakur, who cited his 'leave of absence' due to the ongoing Parliament session.
'Thakur guilty of contempt of court'
"By avoiding today's meeting with Justice Lodha committee, BCCI president Anurag Thakur is guilty of contempt of court. He should have taken prior permission to be absent for the meeting," Verma told mid-day from Patna.
The CAB secretary, who on Monday described Justice Katju's recent statements as unfortunate, said Thakur and Shirke also made the same mistake. Verma will file his petition this week.
Aditya Verma
"How can both BCCI officials (Thakur and Shirke) make statements on the Lodha Committee's recommendations? How can he (Shirke) accompany Justice Katju during his press conference? It's contempt of court," asserted Verma.
BCCI are supposed to file a review petition against SC's order but Verma felt the action will just be a formality. "They have legal right to file a review petition. When they did it earlier after the January 22nd order, Justice TS Thakur dismissed it. They will experience the same this time," he said.
Justice Lodha committee yesterday instructed BCCI to implement a 15-step reform by October 15. Some of the reforms which concern Shirke to be implemented include one state, one vote, age cap of 70 years, nine-year tenure and three-year cooling off period. mid-day spoke with officials from Maharashtra Cricket Association, Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) and Mumbai Cricket Association to understand their views about the development.
"BCCI is our parent association and Maharashtra Cricket Association president Ajay Shirke is also the secretary of BCCI. Whatever decision he takes, we are going to support," secretary Sudhakar Shanbhag said.
VCA president Prakash Dixit seemed to be unaware about the development. "As of now I have not seen the details. Unless I go through it I cannot comment," Dixit said. Mumbai Cricket Association officials refused to speak on the subject.
