Supreme Court Clears Path for Anurag Thakur’s Cricket Comeback
The Supreme Court has granted interim relief to former BCCI chief Anurag Thakur, staying a Delhi High Court order that had quashed a lifetime achievement award from the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA). This paves the way for his return to cricket administration.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court stayed a Delhi HC order that cancelled Thakur’s HPCA lifetime award.
- Thakur is now eligible to contest and is the frontrunner for HPCA president in elections scheduled for June 10.
- The legal battle centres on whether the 2022 award violated the Sports Code and HPCA rules.
Court Order Details
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan issued notice to the HPCA and stayed the high court’s May 8 order. The high court had termed the award “illegal and unsustainable”. The stay will remain in effect until the next hearing.
The high court’s decision came on a petition filed by Sumit Sharma, who challenged the 2022 award alleging violations of the Sports Code.
Thakur’s Profile and Implications
Anurag Thakur, a BJP MP from Hamirpur, served as BCCI president from 2015 to 2017. He stepped down following the Supreme Court’s directives in the case.
His potential return to a key administrative role in the HPCA is seen as significant for Indian cricket governance, given his experience and influence.
What’s Next?
The Supreme Court will hear the appeal in detail on a date yet to be fixed. The order is a setback for the petitioners, while providing Thakur a major relief after years away from cricket administration.
