On February 5, the Supreme Court of India lifted the ban on former BCCI President Anurag Thakur, ending his nearly nine-year absence from Cricket administration. This ruling allows him to participate in the management of Indian cricket again, which includes the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The decision came from a Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The court modified its 2017 order that had prohibited Thakur from holding any official position in the BCCI. The Bench mentioned that this restriction was not meant to be permanent and that Thakur has already served his time away from the administration.
The judges also acknowledged Thakur’s previous unconditional apology for the actions that led to his removal. They concluded that the ban could no longer be enforced, applying the legal principle of proportionality.
Background on Thakur’s Removal in 2017
Anurag Thakur’s troubles began on January 2, 2017, when he was removed as BCCI President by the Supreme Court. The court was dissatisfied with the BCCI’s implementation of the Lodha Committee reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability in cricket.
Thakur was accused of hindering these reforms and providing false information to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding government involvement in cricket administration. This resulted in contempt and perjury charges against him. Although the charges were dropped in July 2017 after he issued an apology, the ban from BCCI roles remained in place until recently.
A Veteran Administrator Poised for a Comeback
Before his ban, Anurag Thakur was a significant figure in Indian cricket. He began as President of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association in 2000 and played a key role in developing the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium.
Thakur served as BCCI Joint Secretary from 2011 to 2015, then as Secretary from 2015 to 2016, before becoming the youngest BCCI President in 2016. His leadership saw notable commercial growth and infrastructure development, though it coincided with legal disputes over reforms.
After his cricket career, Thakur focused on public service, working as Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports from 2021 to 2024, during which India performed well in the Tokyo Olympics and Asian Games.
With the ban now lifted, Anurag Thakur can return to his cricket administration roles, which may significantly impact the future of Indian cricket leadership.
