SC allows BCCI to modify mandatory cooling off period for office bearers

The bench said that an office bearer can serve on a particular post for two consecutive terms, both at the BCCI and the State Association level

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the Board of Control for Cricket in India to carry out amendments into its constitution to relax the cooling off period for the office bearers.

The development would ensure BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah to continue at the helm of affairs.

The office bearers can now have a maximum of 12 years, two three-years' term at state association level and two three-years' term at BCCI before cooling off period can kick in.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Hima Kohli accepted the proposed amendments to the constitution by BCCI.

The court said it is of the view that proposed amendment would not dilute the spirit and object of the cooling off period, if implemented after an individual has completed two terms at either BCCI or state association level.

The Court's order came after hearing Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on behalf of the BCCI, senior advocate Maninder Singh, who acted as amicus curiae, among others.

The BCCI had undergone massive reforms in 2018 as the court accepted the recommendations by the court-appointed Justice R M Lodha Committee.

During the hearing, Mehta submitted that as Clause 6 as approved by the top court, a person who has competed one term at the state cricket association level followed by one term at the BCCI would have to undergo a three-year cooling off period.

He said three-year is a very short time period to prove leadership qualities to take the sport forward.

He asked the court to modify this provision, in the existing constitution, to reflect that it comes into effect after an office bearer has completed two consecutive terms.