Anurag Thakur
File photo of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur Reuters

Indian Supreme Court removed Anurag Thakur as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after the world's richest cricket board refused to implement reofrms and bring in transparency.  

The court also sacked Ajay Shirke from the post of the secretary of the cricket administration body after a long-drawn tussle over reforms.

Cash-rich BCCI and its affiliated state cricket associations in the country resisted implementing recommendations on administrative reforms, which were devised by court-appointed three-member committee, headed by former top judge, jendra Mal Lodha, for "bringing transparency and accountability in the cricket body".

A show cause notice has also been issued to Thakur, who is also a Member of Parliament of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for charges of perjury and contempt of court. The Supreme court said that new administrative heads of the cricket board will be decided on 19 January. The senior most vice-president and vice-secretary will continue to run the board in the meantime.

What are the recommendations?

Crikcet's most powerful body, which thrives on the cricket craze in the country, was embroiled in a major controversy after allegations of corruption and spot-fixing emerged following the 2013 edition of Indian Premier League.

Notably, the Lodha committee was set up in January 2015 to oversee the operations of the Indian cricket board and suggest administrative reforms. The Supreme Court in 2014 also asked then president N Srinivasan to step down and later Suspended two IPL teams - Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, as their owners were found guilty of invovling in corruption.

The BCCI was given deadline until 3 December, 2016 to implement the reforms in a judgement given by the Supreme Court in July, last year.

The recommendations largely focussed on administrative functions, including restriction on ministers and civil servants from holding posts, age cap of 70 years for officials and cooling off period of nine years.

Cricket fraternity welcomes decision

Former India cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi welcomed the Supreme Court's order, saying that it is the first step in the right direction for Indian cricket.