Former Union Minister and former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur has approached the Supreme Court seeking modification of its order dated 2 January 2017, which directed him to immediately dissociate himself from the affairs of the BCCI.
The petition was taken up by a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Jayamaly Bagchi. The Bench agreed to list the matter for hearing after two weeks.
Appearing for Thakur, senior advocate P.S. Patwalia submitted that by its order of 2 January 2017, the Supreme Court had directed Thakur to forthwith step aside from the functioning of the BCCI. He further pointed out that contempt and perjury proceedings had also been initiated against Thakur in connection with the same matter.
The case relates to the Supreme Court’s 2 January 2017 order, under which Thakur was restrained from participating in the affairs of the BCCI with immediate effect. The contempt and perjury proceedings were initiated in relation to an affidavit allegedly found to be false, concerning a letter written to then International Cricket Council president Shashank Manohar on the issue of BCCI’s autonomy.
It was submitted that the Supreme Court subsequently closed the contempt and perjury proceedings against Thakur. However, the direction restraining him from involvement with the BCCI has continued to remain in force. Thakur has sought modification of this continuing restraint.
Patwalia argued that the 2017 order was passed without affording Thakur an opportunity of being heard. He contended that once the contempt and perjury proceedings have been closed, continuation of the ‘cease and desist’ direction preventing Thakur from associating with the BCCI is unjustified. He urged the Court to modify the order accordingly.
After hearing the submissions, the Bench stated that the petition would be taken up for consideration after two weeks. The Court also clarified that all other pending matters and applications relating to the BCCI would be considered after three weeks.
The Supreme Court also issued directions to the amicus curiae appointed in the matter, senior advocate Maninder Singh. The Court directed him to segregate all intervention and interim applications connected with the BCCI on the basis of issues involved and present them in an organised manner to facilitate the hearing.
