Legal Questions Raised Over BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia Holding Two Posts, Naresh Makani Sends Notice

Jamshedpur/Ranchi Mr. Naresh Himmat Lal Makani, a Life Member of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) and a former cricketer, has raised serious legal questions regarding Mr. Devajit Saikia, the current Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), holding two significant positions simultaneously. Mr. Saikia also holds the constitutional office of Advocate General of Assam. Mr. Makani believes that the legal eligibility of an individual to hold both positions simultaneously, as well as any potential conflict of interest arising from such dual responsibilities, warrants independent judicial scrutiny.

According to Mr. Makani, the matter requires examination in light of the Supreme Court’s order dated 9 August 2016 and the recommendations of the Lodha Committee, which were accepted in the context of reforms in cricket administration. He has already served a formal legal notice on the BCCI in this regard and is preparing to file an appropriate petition before the Bombay High Court.

Mr. Makani maintains that the BCCI, as the apex governing body of cricket in India, is expected to uphold transparency, accountability and full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It is therefore necessary to clarify whether an individual holding a constitutional office such as Advocate General of a State can simultaneously continue as the Secretary of the BCCI in accordance with the relevant constitutional provisions, rules governing advocates and the BCCI Constitution.

He emphasised that this matter is not a personal campaign against any individual but concerns the institutional credibility of cricket administration and the equal application of the law. Any ambiguity regarding the interpretation or compliance of applicable rules should be resolved through appropriate judicial scrutiny.

Mr. Makani has urged the BCCI to formally respond to the legal notice served upon it and clarify its position regarding compliance with the relevant rules and judicial orders. He stated that he intends to exercise his legal rights to bring the matter before the competent court for judicial examination.

Mr. Naresh Himmat Lal Makani reiterated that the eligibility of any office-bearer in cricket administration must be determined strictly in accordance with applicable laws, rules and judicial orders, rather than on the basis of personal influence or the position held by the individual