IPL Spot-Fixing Case: Three-Member Panel Discusses BCCI Reforms

A three-member panel formed by the Supreme Court to streamline the BCCI election process, met here on Tuesday to discuss possible reforms in the cricket board. Headed by former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha, the committee chose to wait for the certified copy of Supreme Court's judgment in the IPL case before taking up the matter with BCCI.

Justice Lodha, alongwith former Supreme Court judges - Justice Ashok Bhan and Justice RV Raveendran - have been appointed to streamline BCCI's election process, recommend quantum of punishment to IPL teams Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. "It was our first and preliminary meeting. We are yet to get the certified copy of the Supreme Court judgment. Once we get the copy of the verdict and Mudgal committee report, we will take up the issue with the BCCI," Justice Lodha told NDTV. "Our next meeting will be in the second week of February." (Also read: Is CSK up for sale?)

Asked to submit its report in six months, the panel's role is of high importance as it is expected to restructure BCCI. (Timeline: Complete IPL spot-fixing saga)

Last week - on Thursday - the Supreme Court had struck down the controversial 6.2.4 clause that allows BCCI officials to own IPL teams and have commercial interests. "BCCI must ensure institutional integrity in the conduct of game considering the expectations of millions of viewers. Rule 6.2.4 violates principle of natural justice," a two-judge special bench had said.

The top court had also barred N. Srinivasan from contesting in the BCCI elections till he relinquishes commercial interest in the sport. Srinivasan is the managing director of India Cements - the company which owns Chennai Super Kings. The conflict of interest, therefore, has cast a shadow on the future of the CSK team.

The top court had also found CSK official and Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan guilty of betting, along with Rajasthan Royals' co-owner Raj Kundra. Consequently, the three-member panel was entrusted with probing the matter further and it will now wait for the Mudgal committee report which had earlier investigated the matter extensively.