Jay-Shah-&

7:caption

In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has moved to the Supreme Court seeking an urgent hearing on a plea to amend Rule 6 of the board's constitution with regards to the extension of the tenure of BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah.

As per reports, a bench of Chief Justice NC Ramana and Krishna Murari was told by senior advocate PS Patawalia, appearing for the BCCI, that their application was filed two years ago and court directed to list the matter after two weeks.

"Due to Covid matter plea could not be listed earlier. Please list the matter for urgent hearing because amendments to the constitution are in pipeline for two years now," he reportedly told the court. Patwalia has reportedly informed the court that earlier court said that the amendment to the constitution can only be done with prior permission of the court. The bench has informed the BCCI representative that the matter is listed for next week.

Notably, the tenure of the Sourav Ganguly as BCCI President and Jay Shah as BCCI Secretary is set to expire in September 2022. Earlier, the Justice RM Lodha-led committee had recommended reforms in the BCCI which was accepted by the top court. According to the recommendation, three-year cooling period was suggested for the office-bearers after a tenure of six year comes to an end. Notably, the recommendation applies at the state cricket association or at the BCCI level.

During the cooling off period, the ex-office bearer of the BCCI cannot hold office in either state body or in the BCCI at any capacity. At present, the tenure of Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah is technically under 'extension' since the Supreme Court had not heard the plea for amendment or directed any order regarding their tenure from the helm of the BCCI.

The BCCI in its plea sought abolition of cooling period for its office bearers which would enable BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and Secretary Jay Shah to continue to hold their position despite completion of six years at respective position. Prior to the current appointment at BCCI, Sourav Ganguly served as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, while Jay Shah was an office bearer in Gujarat Cricket Association.