Name ex-home secy as BCCI observer: Lodha

The panel, in its third status report submitted in the SC on Nov 14, has also sought a declaration from the bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur that all office bearers of BCCI and state cricket bodies, who are in violation of laid down norms with regard to 70-year age cap, citizenship and tenures, “cease to hold office forthwith”. “While the day-to-day administration of BCCI is presently carried out by the CEO and certain managers who assist him in this regard, there would be a need to appoint an observer who would guide the BCCI in its administration, particularly with reference to the award of contracts, transparency norms, audit, etc., for domestic, international and IPL. 

“The committee recommends that G K Pillai, former Union home secretary be appointed as the observer, with a power to appoint auditor and all necessary secretarial staff, assistance and remuneration as may be determined appropriate by the committee,” the report said. It referred to recommendations, approved by the court, on criteria for holding posts in BCCI and state cricket bodies and said that they include that a person should be an Indian citizen and below 70 years. The off i c e - b e a r e r should not be “insolvent, or of unsound mind” or a minister or government servant, the report said, adding that criteria also included that such a person should not be holding “any office or post in a sports or federation apart from cricket”.