Thakur faces contempt of court and perjury showcause notices

Anurag Thakur was not only removed as BCCI president by a Supreme Court order on Monday, but he is also facing two showcause notices relating to charges of contempt of court and perjury. The court was severe on Thakur for having “obstructed and impeded” the implementation of the Lodha Committee recommendations approved by the court on July 18, 2016.

From being one of the most powerful people in cricket as head of the BCCI, Thakur, 41, had his authority stripped off him, and his role with the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, where he has been president since 2000-01, is also uncertain because of the limitations on tenure imposed by the Lodha Committee.

“Mr Thakur has by his actions and conduct rendered himself unfit for continuance as President of BCCI, for the following reasons,” the Supreme Court observed in its order on January 2. “Firstly, he has obstructed and impeded the implementation of the directions contained in the judgment and order of this Court dated 18 July 2016.

“His own version is that he has been ‘rendered totally incapable and without any authority’ to compel the members to comply with the orders of this Court. This is indicative of his having washed his hands off a duty and obligation to ensure compliance.”

Despite reminders from the Lodha Committee and directives from the court that it was binding upon the BCCI and state associations to implement the recommendations unconditionally, the board resisted them. Thakur, in an affidavit filed on December 3, said he could not force the state associations to adopt the recommendations.

The court did not buy that argument. “We are prima facie of the view that Mr Thakur is liable to be proceeded with for contempt of court for having obstructed and impeded the orders of …

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