SC allows BCCI to incur Rs 1.33 cr for expenses

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the BCCI to incur expenses of Rs 1.33 crore for holding the remaining two cricket test matches between India and England scheduled at Mumbai and Chennai respectively.

A bench comprising Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud also allowed the BCCI to an incur expenditure of upto Rs 25 lakh each for the three one-day internationals and three T-20 matches which are to be played from January 15 to February one.

"We allow this application (by the BCCI). The BCCI will be free to incur Rs 1.33 crore expenditure for two test matches," the bench said, adding, "We also permit the BCCI to incur expenses of upto Rs 25 lakh per match for six matches (three ODIS and three T-20s) scheduled to be played with England in January-february."

The apex court made it clear that payments to the state cricket associations hosting the matches have to be done through pay orders or cheques and no part of the fund will go to the host.

However, it asked the BCCI to file an affidavit giving details of total money received by it in the three test matches which have already been played. The cricket body will also furnish details of expenditure and income from the upcoming two test matches scheduled at Mumbai and Chennai, it said. The bench said the expenses would be incurred by the BCCI in terms of the order passed by the apex court on November 8 when it had allowed it to incur an expense of Rs 58.66 lakh for the first test match.

On November 8, the bench had made it clear that payments would be made directly to the parties concerned with various contracts and the BCCI would maintain a book of actual expenditure which has to be furnished to the Justice R M Lodha committee for verification by its auditor who has to be appointed expeditiously by the panel.