New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Thursday set aside the restriction imposed on BJP leader and Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur, permitting him to hold office and participate in the affairs of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The order was passed by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi while considering an application filed by Thakur seeking recall of a direction issued by the court in 2017.
In January 2017, the Supreme Court had removed then BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke for non-compliance with its directions relating to the implementation of the Lodha Committee reforms.
Direction (ii) of that order had specifically restrained both office-bearers from carrying out any work of the BCCI.
Appearing for Thakur, senior advocate PS Patwalia submitted that the restraint had continued for nearly nine years and was never meant to operate as a permanent disqualification.
He further informed the court that Thakur had already expressed unconditional remorse for the earlier conduct.
Agreeing with the submission, the bench observed that the 2017 direction could not be construed as a lifelong ban. Applying the doctrine of proportionality, the court recalled the said restraint.
As a result, the Supreme Court clarified that Anurag Thakur is now entitled to participate in BCCI activities in accordance with its constitution and applicable rules.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing the secretary of the Lodha Committee, opposed the plea.
