The Supreme Court gave nod to the draft constitution of BCCI whereas dropping 'one state one vote' policy recommended by the Lodha Panel Thursday. The Supreme court's three-judge bench, in addition, granted full membership to Saurashtra, Vadodara, Mumbai, and Vidarbha cricket associations.
The Apex court’s bench, comprising of Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud also granted full membership of Railways, Services, and Universities of the country's top cricketing body. The Supreme Court has allowed the BCCI four weeks time to register its new modified constitution.
The Supreme court had earlier asked the state cricket associations and BCCI office-bearers to provide suggestions on the draft constitution for the apex cricket body to the amicus, saying these have to be in line with the Lodha panel recommendations and its verdict.
Regarding the issue of a cooling-off period and disqualification of BCCI office-bearers, the bench stated a person would have to go through a cooling-off period after holding a post in the board for two consecutive terms.
The Justice Lodha panel had recommended a bunch of structural reforms in BCCI which were approved by the Supreme Court. The court had accepted these recommendations, containing 'one state, one vote', 'one member, one post' and fixing an age cap of 70 years on those occupying BCCI posts.
The Supreme Court on 5th July had restrained all the state cricket bodies from holding elections till it declared the verdict on finalization of the draft constitution of the BCCI.
The counsel for Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) in the earlier hearing, had opposed the cooling-off period for the office bearers suggested by the Justice (Retd) RM Lodha-led panel and announced there should be continuity of experience. He had also opposed the age gap of 70 years for office bearers as proposed by the panel. The Supreme Court, nevertheless, kept intact the directions regarding the 70-year cap on holding office in BCCI and maintaining public servants out of the board.