Image courtesy: india.com
The Supreme Court of India has passed one of its most landmark judgments by barring its ousted chief N Srinivasan from contesting for elections. This judgement has shaken probably the most powerful sports body in the country and cricket board in the world by its roots. Here we look at why it is in fact such a BIG deal and what it means for all the stakeholders concerned:
1. Aditya Verma
The one man army from the Cricket Association of Bihar (which by the way is not recognized by the BCCI) is solely responsible for taking on Srinivasan. It is he who had filed petitions seeking refraining Srinivasan from contesting elections and quashing of rule 6.2.4.
2.Rule 6.2.4
What is rule 6.2.4? The rule 6.2.4 of the BCCI’s constitution categorically allows it’s officials to have a commercial interest in the IPL and the Champions League T20. Needless to say it is the root cause of all troubles. It is also interesting to note that this particular law was amended in 2008, six months after the Chennai franchise was sold to Srinivasan. In other words conflict of interest was inherent in the BCCI’s rulebook. The Supreme Court has quashed this rule with immediate effect or has rather ended the “conflict of interest”.
3. Raj Kundra and Gurunath Meiyappan
Two men associated with Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are held guilty of betting in the 2013 IPL. They are liable for punishment subject to the conclusions made by a three member committee headed by ex CJI Lodha.
4. Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings
The fate of these two former champions also hang in balance since both Kundra and Gurunath were held to be “team officials” and had direct interest in team matters.
5. Institution bigger than individual
Stating that “individuals are birds of passage while institutions are forever”, the Supreme Court has finally ended the dictatorial form of operations of the BCCI. It is not a family business run by a few individuals for their personal gain but an entity that facilitates cricket in its entirety to the country.
6. Fans
The most affected and the most integral part of the game and the judgement. The apex court has given its judgement clearly keeping in mind the interests of the cricket following public while upholding the law of the land. Let’s face it, BCCI and IPL is what it is today only because of the cricket crazy public. This judgement has reinstilled the faith of the fans to some extent if not fully.
Justice has finally been done and let’s just hope this is the last we get to see from BCCI’s Pandora’s box of revelations.
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