Zee Telefilms Ltd. & Anr vs Union Of India & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the maintainability of a petition under Article 32 against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), determining that the BCCI does not qualify as a 'State' under Article 12 of the Constitution. The Court held that the BCCI, being registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, operates as an autonomous body without governmental control or financial assistance, thus not fulfilling the criteria established in Pradeep Kumar Biswas vs. Indian Institute of Chemical Biology & Ors. (2002 5 SCC 111). Consequently, the petition was deemed not maintainable, affirming the BCCI's status as a non-State entity.