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Not a personal battle, fought for BCCI’s autonomy: Anurag Thakur

The Supreme Court today removed Anurag Thakur as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India for not complying with the SC directive.

Hours after the Supreme Court on 2 January sacked Anurag Thakur as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Thakur issued a statement saying that he respected the top court’s decision like every citizen should.

He uploaded a video message on the official social media accounts saying that if the Supreme Court felt that the BCCI would function better under the supervision of the retired judges then he wished them the best.

“BCCI is the best-managedd sports organisation in the country and India has the best cricket infrastructure in the world. For me it was not a personal battle but for the autonomy of the sports body. I respect SC like any citizen should,” he said in a video message.

“If SC feels BCCI would do better under retired judges then I wish them all the best, I am sure they will do well,” he added.

My statement on the Supreme Court @BCCI verdict today. pic.twitter.com/4zZf44hTgf

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) January 2, 2017

You can listen to the video message here:

My statement on the Supreme Court @BCCI verdict. pic.twitter.com/cXvEx6eIU4

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) January 2, 2017

The Supreme Court on Monday removed Anurag Thakur as the President of the BCCI for not complying with the SC directive for implementing the Lodha committee reforms. The apex court has also removed Ajay Shirke from the post of BCCI Secretary. The court questioned why prosecution should not be initiated against Thakur. They have also sought a reply from him in this regard.

SC further observed that Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke did not comply with its order given on July 18, 2016 order. The apex court will replace the top brass of the BCCI with a panel of administrators.

Meanwhile, Justice R M Lodha termed this decision as a landmark verdict and that he was quite happy after the decision was made as there is no mid way in the implementation of reforms if once ordered by the Supreme Court.