Supreme Court lifts bar on Anurag Thakur, allows him to take part in BCCI affairs again

Anurag Thakur

• Supreme Court lifts ban on Anurag Thakur's involvement in BCCI affairs
• Thakur can now participate in BCCI as per its rules after apology accepted
• Court clarified lifelong ban was not intended or warranted

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In a relief to former BCCI president Anurag Thakur, the Supreme Court on Thursday modified its January 2017 order, clearing the way for him to participate in the affairs of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in accordance with its rules and regulations.

In its earlier order passed in January 2017, the apex court had directed Thakur to “cease and desist” from being associated with the functioning of the cricket board.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi modified the order after applying the doctrine of proportionality. The relief was granted on an application filed by Thakur seeking modification of the 2017 directive.

While considering the plea, the court took note of the fact that Thakur had tendered an unqualified apology before the apex court.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the case warranted the application of the doctrine of proportionality, clarifying that the Court “did not intend to impose a lifelong ban, nor is that warranted.”

Accordingly, the apex court modified paragraph 25(ii) of its January 2, 2017 judgment and ruled that Thakur is free to take part in BCCI affairs in accordance with its rules and regulations.

During the hearing, the Court noted that directions 3 and 4 of the 2017 judgment had already been withdrawn, and that the present application was limited to the bar imposed under paragraph 25(ii). Counsel appearing for Thakur submitted that the restriction had remained in force for nearly nine years, and its continuation would result in serious hardship.

Accepting the submission, the Bench also recorded that Thakur had earlier tendered an unconditional apology, which had been accepted by the Court.

In 2017, the Supreme Court had issued a notice to Thakur asking him to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him. The Court had sought his response to allegations of perjury, linked to a letter allegedly written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) seeking intervention to bypass the implementation of the Lodha Committee recommendations.

The latest order brings to a close a long-standing restriction on Thakur’s involvement in Indian cricket administration.

The Supreme Court had initiated contempt and perjury proceedings against Thakur on January 2, 2017, accusing him of filing a false affidavit related to a letter written to then International Cricket Council (ICC) chairperson Shashank Manohar on the issue of BCCI’s autonomy.

Subsequently, on July 14, 2017, the top court had dropped the contempt and perjury proceedings against Thakur after he tendered an unconditional and unequivocal apology in person.

The latest order effectively removes the remaining restriction on Thakur’s association with the BCCI, bringing an end to a long-running legal chapter linked to cricket administration reforms in India.