‘Stop BCCI from representing India in international cricket’

A division bench comprising Justices S Manikumar and Subramonium Prasad, which heard the petition on Tuesday, reserved orders without mentioning a date. While senior counsel P R Raman appeared for the BCCI, advocate Reepak Kansal appeared for the petitioner.

The petitioner Geetha Rani had contended that the BCCI, being a private society registered in Tamil Nadu under the Societies Registration Act cannot represent India in international cricket and govern the game in the country, without any official approval from the Central government.

It was also argued that the players selection process carried out by BCCI was never transparent and hence like any other sport, cricket should be governed by the union ministry of sports.

However, senior counsel Raman argued that the BCCI has not violated the Emblem and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.

During the hearing, the bench also sought the counsel for the petitioner to explain its locus standi in moving such a plea, when the Government of India has not raised any objections to BCCI’s functioning. It is the Central government which must raise the objection and not others, the bench added.