MSCW probe into woman cricketer’s sexual harassment case faces delay

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 26: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) could not conclude its inquiry on Tuesday into the alleged failure of Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) officials to act on sexual harassment complaints filed by members of the state Under-23 women’s cricket team.

Three former MCA officials — honorary secretary Rayonald Kharkamni, former president Nababrata Bhattacharjee, and former cricket operations manager Shining Star Lyngdoh — appeared before the commission and recorded their statements. However, former treasurer Dhrubajyoti Thakuria failed to attend as he was out of station.

MSCW Chairperson Iamonlang Syiem said the inquiry remains incomplete due to the absence of one official. “We will need to conduct another hearing to record his statement. Today was supposed to be the final hearing,” Syiem said.

She confirmed that statements from team manager Sanjay Mandal and head coach Hemant Roy — the two officials named in the complaints — have already been recorded.

The MSCW had summoned the officials after receiving complaints alleging that they had prior knowledge of the sexual harassment faced by the women cricketers but failed to initiate any action or internal inquiry.

In a related development, the HYC has strongly urged the BCCI to intervene immediately. In a letter addressed to BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia, HYC Sports Cell Chairman Franky Kharumnuid demanded an independent probe into the allegations of sexual harassment involving women cricketers and the alleged failure of MCA.

He called for the suspension of all accused individuals pending completion of the inquiry, protection and support for the affected players, and a review of safeguards and grievance redressal mechanisms within the MCA. Kharumnuid warned that any attempt to suppress complaints would undermine public trust in cricket administration and emphasised that the safety and dignity of women cricketers must not be compromised.