Make BCCI public body and bring under RTI: Law Commission

April 19, 2018

The Law Commission of India (LCI) has recommended to declare Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as a public body. It also recommended BCCI and its all member cricket associations to be brought under Right to Information (RTI) law regime.

Recommendations of LCI

BCCI’s monopolistic activities, directly and indirectly, affect the fundamental rights of citizens, players, and other functionaries. Private citizen should be able to move highest court against BCCI for any violation of his fundamental rights.
BCCI has been flying under radar of public scrutiny and encouraged environment of opacity and non-accountability. It has created impression in minds of general public that corruption and other forms of malpractices are adversely affecting one of most popular sports played in India.
BCCI should be held accountable, under all circumstances, for any violations of basic human rights of stakeholders. BCCI exercises ‘state-like’ powers in the regulation of cricket, and thus, comes under the definition of ‘state’ under Article 12 of the Constitution.
How can BCCI as an entity permitted as de facto by state to represent country at the international stage. BCCI virtually acts as National Sports Federation (NSF) and Sports Ministry website should explicitly mention BCCI in list of NSFs. This will automatically bring it within the purview of the RTI Act.