The activities of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are commercial in nature and can be termed as a "shop" for the purposes of attracting the provisions of the Employees State Insurance Act, the Supreme Court has said.

The top court said ESI Act is welfare legislation enacted by the Centre and a narrow meaning should not be attached to the words used in the Act as it seeks to insure the employees of covered establishments against various risks to their life, health, and well-being and places the charge upon the employer.