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