RM Lodha Panel, BCCI Spar Over Report on Cricket Selectors Seeking Sexual Favour

The Supreme Court-appointed Justice RM Lodha panel, in a statement issued late on Wednesday, denied accusing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors as "depraved and despicable".

The denial comes after a report in Indian Express said Ajay Shirke, BCCI secretary, was unhappy with Lodha panel secretary Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who alleged "that sexual favours were sought by cricket selectors and that he painted 'all selectors as depraved and despicable human beings'."

The statement from Lodha panel, however, said that no such allegations were made by the concerned person. "It is reiterated that no allegation was made regarding national selectors or state selectors or office bearers. There was absolutely no attempt to project the selectors as 'depraved and despicable'," it said.

"The functions of this Committee being to fulfil the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, it would not like to engage in public debate on issues. The Committee is only attempting to discharge its responsibility in a time bound manner and would not wish to be sidetracked."

The Lodha panel will meet on August 28 to discuss various issues concerning the BCCI, including the multiple complaints received against the Board.

The Lodha panel also refuted the news report, saying it did not make any accusations against any selector or office-bearer but had mentioned about various complaints against state associations sent to it from time to time.

"During the meeting of 9th August 2016 in New Delhi, ...A question was put to Mr.Shirke as to what action the BCCI took against State Associations when serious allegations were made of corruption, nepotism, and even an allegation of sexual impropriety by a selector of a State Association concerning a junior cricket selection, which appeared in news reports," the statement said.

"Mr.Shirke vaguely responded by saying that these were societal issues and that allegations are made against various persons and that such allegations cannot be treated as proof of some irregularity. There was no further discussion on this issue."

The RM Lodha panel was appointed by the Supreme Court to recommend several administerial and functional changes in BCCI's working.