BCB forms committee to probe Jahanara’s harassment allegations

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formed a three-member committee to investigate allegations of sexual harassment made by former national women’s team captain Jahanara Alam.

In a press release issued on Saturday (November 8) night, the country’s cricket governing body announced the formation of the committee.

According to the statement, “The Bangladesh Cricket Board has formed a three-member inquiry committee to investigate allegations of code of conduct violations involving some members of the Bangladesh national women’s cricket team.”

The committee is headed by retired Appellate Division Justice Tariq-ul Hakim. Its other members are BCB Director Rubaba Dowla and senior Supreme Court lawyer and President of the Women’s Sports Association Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla.

The BCB said the committee will carry out a fair and impartial investigation into the recent allegations concerning the women’s team and submit its report and recommendations within 15 working days. The board expressed hope that the probe will ensure a transparent and just resolution of the matter.

Notably, Jahanara Alam recently alleged that she was sexually harassed while playing for the national team. She accused former women’s team selector and manager Manjurul Islam, a former national pacer, and the late Touhid Mahmud, former in-charge of BCB’s women’s division.

Jahanara made these allegations during an interview with freelance sports journalist Riasad Azim on his YouTube channel on November 6.