SC removes Anurag Thakur as BCCI chief for 'lying on oath', issues show cause notice to him; Justice Lodha says 'it's a victory of Cricket'

The Supreme Court on Monday removed Anurag Thakur from the post of BCCI president for not complying with top court's orders. The SC also removed Ajay Shirke as BCCI secretary.

The apex court also questioned why contempt proceedings against the BCCI president shouldn't be initiated.

Now, the Supreme Court will appoint an observer for BCCI after two weeks. Till then, the two senior vice-presidents of the BCCI will take charge of Board affairs.

"Obviously this was to happen.. It was logical  conclusion and being in  the helm of affairs he was not able to follow the July 18 orders and it was bound to happen.. it is the victory for the game of cricket," said Justice TS Thakur, who headed the bench that was hearing why the cricket body is reluctant to implement the Committee reforms.

The Supreme Court also asked former solicitor general and lawyer Fali Nariman and Gopal Subramanium to assist in selecting an observer for the board.

The top court once again reiterated that all reforms suggested by Lodha panel have to be implemented in full. It was mandated in July, but the BCCI kept defying them.

“No one is above the law of the land. Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke had failed to “fall in line” with the court’s orders,” Committee head RM Lodha said.

Now, BCCI chief Anurag Thakur’s fate is likely to be decided on Monday when the Supreme Court hears perjury charges levelled against him by Amicus Curiae Gopal Subramaniam.

The court is also likely to pronounce a crucial order regarding Committee's recommendations and board’s constant reluctance to accept them. 

On December 15, the top court had observed that Thakur prima facie appears to have committed matter of perjury in relation to demanding an intervention via a letter from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in order to sidestep the implementation of the reforms recommended by the Lodha Committee.