Hours after reports claimed that the BCCI may call off the final test match against New Zealand in the ongoing tour over its accounts being blocked, Justice RM Lodha has issued a clarification.
Lodha said that the committee has not frozen BCCI accounts for routine expenditure.
"It is clearly stated in the mail that we have told them (the banks) to stop disbursing large funds to state associations. We have not told them to stop payments on routine matters. If anyone says something I can't stop it. We have not ordered them to stop distributing funds on routine matters. Conducting a series is a routine matter," Justice Lodha told NDTV.
On Tuesday, the Lodha committee directed Yes Bank to unfreeze BCCI’s account with sources reporting that it would soon write to Bank of Maharashtra as well to do the same. This comes just a day after the BCCI had instructed both the banks to freeze payments for financial decisions taken by the Board at its Special General Meeting on September 30.
Earlier, with the Lodha panel deciding to freeze BCCI’s accounts, the Board had threatened to call off all domestic and international matches.
"Now we have no other option than to cancel the series. If we don't have money how will we organise matches. Who will pay? We also have a lot at a stake," BCCI sources had told NDTV.
Also alleging interference, the BCCI sources had said, "Lodha Committee is not mandated to interfere in everyday activities. Players need to be paid. If they are happy to play the third Test without being paid, then fine."
However, with this clarification from Justice Lodha, the New Zealand tour which had been thrown in doubt, will continue.
Last week, in a status report to the Supreme Court, the Lodha panel had sought the removal of BCCI’s top brass, including its President Anurag Thakur for refusing to implement its recommendations, which had been approved by the court in July.
The court has taken a strident line saying if the BCCI ‘’does not fall in line”, it will take appropriate measures to make it comply. The next hearing is scheduled for October 6.
(This news was first reported by Santosh Rao for NDTV)