Ousted BCCI president Anurag Thakur tenders apology to SC

Ousted Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Anurag Thakur has apologised in the perjury case fearing that the Supreme Court may put him behind the bars for defying the SC’s order of July 18.

In an affidavit submitted to the SC, Thakur has contended that the apex court got confused over the nature of letter he had asked for from the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Shashank Manohar.

Thakur has said he never sought a letter from the ICC saying the appointment of CAG nominee would amount to government interference and evoke sanctions from the world cricket body.

Thakur has stated that he only asked for a letter from Manohar about his stance as BCCI president when he had submitted before the SC that such nomination would lead to government interference.

Having been served with notices of contempt and perjury for obstructing the implementation of SC’s orders, Thakur had earlier filed in the affidavit what transpired during the August 6, 2016 discussion in Dubai between Manohar and him over appointment of CAG nominee on the Apex Council.

Thakur has once again narrated the old story where he has cited October 12, 2016 instance of ICC meeting in Cape Town, stating that “he discussed the matter of filing affadavit with ICC chief who then personally dictated a portion of his affadavit in his presence”.

“Mr Shashank Manohar personally dictated a portion of my affadavit. This dictation was taken down by my Executive Assistant Krishna Pophale in my presence. At the end of the dictation, Manohar had also remarked that it was natural for me to ask him for a clarification as I was not a lawyer and didn’t understand the nitty gritties of the issue,” wrote Thakur in his apology.

This fact has been corroborated by Manohar in his reply to the SC, wherein the ICC chairman told Thakur that his view on CAG nominee’s inclusion amounting to government interference was made before the SC delivered its judgement on the matter on July 18, 2016.

Manohar has, in his reply to the Justice Lodha panel, stated that he told Thakur that he could not give him any such letter because the issue was being decided by the SC.

Both Thakur’s affidavit and Manohar’s reply state the same thing, albeit in a different language.