The Supreme Court of India on Thursday lifted the ban imposed on Anurag Thakur from participating in the affairs of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Thakur, who previously served as BCCI president, can now rejoin the board’s activities in accordance with its rules and regulations.
The apex court modified its January 2017 order, which had directed Thakur to “cease and desist” from being associated with BCCI. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi applied the doctrine of proportionality and allowed Thakur to resume his role in cricket administration.
The bench passed the order after considering an application filed by Thakur seeking modification of the earlier directive. The court noted that Thakur had tendered an unqualified apology before it, which played a key role in the decision.
In January 2017, the Supreme Court initiated contempt and perjury proceedings against Thakur for filing a false affidavit regarding his communication with then ICC chairperson Shashank Manohar on the issue of BCCI’s autonomy. However, on July 14, 2017, the court dropped the proceedings after Thakur personally offered an unconditional and unequivocal apology.
With Thursday’s ruling, Thakur is now free to participate in BCCI’s affairs, marking a significant development in the board’s administrative landscape.
