Justice RM Lodha, who headed the committee that proposed a two-year suspension of the two teams -- Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals -- has said that the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) is free to terminate the IPL franchises.
Justice Lodha's clarification came in the wake of some confusion over the committee's proposal, specifically over the extent to which the BCCI can act against the two franchises as follow-up to the committee's decision.
"It is for the BCCI to consider terminating the teams and the Supreme Court judgment is clear on that. The BCCI can do that," Justice Lodha told 'NDTV'.
Asked why the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha committee itself didn't ban the franchise, Justice Lodha said: "We have been appointed as a disciplinary committee and (Clause) 11.3 deals with contractual obligation and that has to be dealt by BCCI, so we can't go into it."
Clause 11.3 (c) of the BCCI-IPL franchise agreement says the agreement can be terminated if "the Franchise, any Franchise Group Company and/or any owner acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the League, BCCI-IPL, BCCI, the Franchise, the team (or any other team in the League) and/or the game of cricket."
Justice Lodha's statement would make BCCI deliberate on the initial possibilities of terminating the two franchises when the Indian Premier League governing council meets on July 19.
