Kolkata: The hand of law is stronger than even the most powerful among powerful people — probably the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI ) president Anurag Thakur has reconciled to this notion. Thursday, December 15, is a day which Thakur can never erase from his mind. The person holding the most coveted post in the world of sports “seems to have committed perjury” according to the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur. One Thakur admonishes another, in the interest of probity in the system.
And it’s a double blow for Thakur who has been removed as the head of the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday itself. Is it a result of the SC observation?
Now, coming back to the case, NDTV reports “The court’s observations came after the Lodha panel’s lawyer alleged that Mr Thakur had lied on oath to the court on having asked the ICC for a letter to advise against inducting a nominee of government auditor Comptroller and Auditor General or CAG on a council to run the board proposed by the committee.”
Though, the court has not yet given a ruling on the appointment of a panel to oversee the functioning of the board and implementation of the recommendations of the Justice Lodha Commission, the observation of the apex court, no doubt is a huge disappointment for Thakur, who was till Thursday heading the youth wing of the ruling BJP. The SC bench told the BCCI’s counsel, “Your client has played the role of an obstructionist,” the SC bench and has asked the BCCI top boss to tender an apology to “escape.” Another reports states that Thakur could be jailed if he is proved to have committed perjury.
We will have to wait till the first week of January when the apex court gives its verdict on the constitution of the panel. But media reports indicate that the ruling would be given before the incumbent Chief Justice retires. For somebody who has been religiously working towards eradicating corruption from the BCCI, Justice Thakur would like to witness the constitution of the panel before he leaves.
Now, the question is, what next for the BCCI president? The Court has instructed the BCCI to suggest some names for the panel. It is a given that Thakur’s days as the BCCI chief are numbered. Once the apex court gives the final verdict, he will have to step down. Despite his political connections, he has not been able to fight the long arm of the law.
The next few days are crucial for Thakur and Indian cricket. Will the BJP strongman apologise? As things stand now, he is left with no other choice. The BCCI counsel Kabil Sibal has told the Supreme Court that Thakur will tender an apology. Even if he does, it will be big jolt to the man whose rise to power in the BCCI is legendary.
And it’s not for Thakur personally, the SC’s observation comes after another BJP leader and union minister Kiren Rijiju’s name has come up in a scam, with the Congress party demanding his resignation. And after Rijiju, it is Thakur’s turn to face the heat. The Supreme Court’s observation also dents the honest image of the BJP government which has been harping on its clean image plank. And add to it, Rahul Gandhi’s announcement that he has proof of the involvement of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in corruption.
For Thakur, it is sheer co-incidence that he has been replaced by Poonam Mahajan as the chief of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha on a day when the Supreme Court has taken him to task. Does this prove that his clout in the party is diminishing? We will wait and watch.
There’s a lot happening on the corridors of power, and the Supreme Court’s observation only proves that all is not lost yet. For those who suspected the impartiality of the judiciary, would have a smile on their faces. We will be keeping a watch on the developments and what the BCCI top boss does to handle this critical phase in his administrative career that can have strong repercussions on his political future as well.
If we look at the overall picture, there is a need for more transparency in the functioning of the BCCI. It is cash rich, but there have been allegations of the body exploiting the autonomy it enjoys. The Supreme Court has ensured that BCCI doesn’t take its powers for granted. In one sense, it augurs well for Indian cricket as a whole.
But at this point of time, Anurag Thakur is a worried man.