Supreme Court Reinstates Anurag Thakur's Role in BCCI After Nine-Year Ban

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has lifted the nearly nine-year ban on Anurag Thakur, allowing him to return to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This decision comes after Thakur's previous removal due to non-compliance with governance reforms. The court emphasized that the ban was not intended to be permanent and noted Thakur's unconditional apology. As a result, he is now free to participate in BCCI's internal affairs, marking a pivotal moment for both Thakur and Indian cricket governance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 5, 2026, 18:43 IST

Supreme Court Lifts Ban on Anurag Thakur

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has officially lifted the prohibition on Anurag Thakur, a BJP MP and former Union Minister, from holding a position within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This decision comes nearly nine years after he was ousted from his role as the cricket body's president.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi revised a January 2017 ruling that had mandated Thakur to 'cease and desist' from any involvement with the BCCI.

In granting Thakur's request, the bench noted that the original ban was not meant to serve as a permanent disqualification.

The Supreme Court highlighted that the restriction had been in place for almost nine years and acknowledged that Thakur had previously issued an unconditional apology regarding the matter.

The court clarified that Thakur, who represents Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur constituency, is now permitted to engage in the internal and administrative operations of the BCCI, following its established rules and regulations.

Thakur was removed from his position as BCCI president on January 2, 2017, due to his refusal to comply with the recommendations set forth by the Justice R. M. Lodha Committee, which aimed to reform the governance structure of the cricket organization.

The 2017 ruling, issued by a bench led by then CJI T.S. Thakur, found that the BCCI leadership had taken a defiant stance against implementing the reforms mandated by the Supreme Court.

At that time, the Supreme Court ordered both Anurag Thakur, as president, and Ajay Shirke, as secretary of the BCCI, to 'immediately cease and desist' from their roles within the organization, while also initiating contempt proceedings against Thakur.

The Supreme Court not only barred him from participating in the BCCI's operations but also mandated that a Committee of Administrators oversee the cricket body.