The Central Information Commission's (CIC) ruling to bring the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under the contentious Right To Information (RTI) Act may seem as a huge step towards providing transparency in the functioning of the world's richest cricket board. However, the joy for transparency seekers may be shortlived, according to well-known lawyer and sports activist Rahul Mehra as the all-powerful BCCI could well get a stay on the CIC's order.

The CIC yesterday passed a 37-page order where the commission, the top appellate body in RTI matters, ruled that the status, nature and functional characteristics of the BCCI fulfill that the Indian cricket board is, "the 'approved' national-level body holding virtually monopoly rights to organize cricketing events in the country," Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu said in its order.