New Delhi: Supreme Court, while hearing the case regarding the changes in the constitution and the cooling-off period in BCCI, the governing body of cricket in India allowed BCCI to make amendments to its constitution. This means that president Sourav Ganguly & secretary Jay Shah may continue for another term of three years. The decision came at 4 pm on September 14.
The bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Hima Kohli came up with the decision after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta presented the case for BCCI. The tenure of Saurav Ganguly and Jay Shah was to expire in September 2022, but the due amendments will allow the tenure to be of six years (3+3).
The Supreme Court heard the plea and made a few observations on September 13. The decision was based on the observation made by the court that said, “BCCI is an autonomous body. We cannot micro-manage its functioning.” The bench observed that no office bearer of the state association can hold a post in BCCI, without undergoing three years cooling-off period as per the existing constitution.
During the proceedings, Tushar Mehta put it out that the suggestion regarding the cooling-off period will be there but after two consecutive terms in BCCI, so that experience of “worthy administrators” does not go waste. The second amendment was regarding the restriction of 70 years of age in the governing council for representation to the ICC, which the BCCI does not wants. This was argued on the grounds that BCCI would require people above the age of 70 to do the negotiations regarding funds at the ICC where there will be veterans from other countries’ governing bodies.
The decision came in the favour of BCCI and is likely to go ahead with the proposed amendments.
