Lodha panel seeks removal of BCCI top brass, including Anurag Thakur, for non-compliance of SC orders

The Lodha panel today filed its status report before the apex court, seeking appropriate directions against the cricket body.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday came out heavily at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the Lodha panel submitted its report accusing the Indian board of delaying the implementation of reforms.

In its report submitted to the apex court, Justice R M Lodha's panel demanded the court to replace BCCI's top brass with cricket administrators.

SC bench headed by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur, lashed out at the Indian board saying they will not allow the board to defy their orders. Thakur also warned the board of serious ramifications if they do not implement the reforms soon.

The apex court has directed the cricket governing body to respond to the panel`s report before October 6. (Lodha panel report: Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev find some recommendations 'too much', 'harsh')

"The session was about the developments and the decisions taken by the BCCI in ts AGM on September 21. They have decided to send the report to the Supreme Court. If there are any impediments in implementation of the recommendations the committee will submit a status report. We are submitting the status report because the committee finds that there are impediments," Justice RM Lodha told reporters.

The Lodha panel had recommended a set of sweeping reforms in BCCI, including restricting the tenure of office bearers, introducing cooling-off period for administrators, cutting down the present five-member selection panel to three and employing the one state one vote policy, among others.

The Lodha panel was formed by the Supreme Court in the wake of the 2013 IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal. In its report to the Supreme Court, the panel, headed by former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha, had suggested several changes in reforming the world's richest cricket body. (Concerned and livid! Ravi Shastri calls for sincere, continuous dialogue​ between BCCI and Lodha Committee)

The BCCI has called for a Special General Meeting (SGM) on September 30 to consider the amendments to the rules and regulations of the Board, as recommended by the Lodha Committee.

The panel had set the BCCI two deadlines - September 30 to make constitutional changes and December 15 for the Board to form a nine-member Apex committee that will replace the working committee.

(With PTI inputs)