The Central Information Commission (CIC) rules that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not subject to the Right to Information (RTI) Act because it does not qualify as a “public authority.” In separate reporting, outlets say the CIC dismisses an appeal that sought details about the legal provisions and authority under which BCCI represents India and selects players for national and international cricket tournaments.
According to the CIC order, BCCI is treated as a private autonomous body registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. The CIC states that BCCI is neither established by the Constitution, Parliament, a state legislature, nor through a government notification, and that it is not owned, controlled, or substantially financed by the government. The commission therefore holds that the RTI Act’s provisions are inapplicable to BCCI in this case.
One report also notes the CIC’s observation that any “superimposed” or expanded government control could affect BCCI’s economic structure, tying the reasoning to its financial independence and market-driven operations, including the Indian Premier League.
