Committee formed to probe Jahanara Alam‘s claims; four officials placed on special dutyThe Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has pledged “zero tolerance” in response to the shocking sexual harassment allegations made by national cricketer Jahanara Alam against former team selector and manager Manjurul Alam. BCB president Aminul Islam on Sunday said no one — whether a director, coach, or staff member — will be spared if found guilty after the ongoing investigation.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The controversy erupted after Jahanara, speaking in an interview with journalist Riasad Azim, accused Manjurul of sexually harassing her during the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. She alleged that the former selector made indecent advances and asked lewd, intrusive questions, including about her menstrual cycle. The fast bowler, who has represented Bangladesh in 135 international matches, claimed that other female cricketers had similar experiences but were afraid to speak up due to fear of professional repercussions.Following the explosive interview, several other former players voiced their own experiences, prompting the BCB to launch an official inquiry.‘Zero tolerance — no one is above the law’BCB chief Aminul Islam reaffirmed that the board will act firmly once the investigation concludes. “You’ve asked a question, and here’s my reply — zero tolerance. Thank you,” Aminul said, adding that the committee should be given time to complete its work.He clarified that no position within the board would offer immunity. “Even the Prime Minister of this country isn’t exempt from such rules. We’re just ordinary directors. If I go and harass someone, and it’s proven to be true, then I’m just an ordinary director — not above the law,” he said.The board has constituted a three-member inquiry panel headed by retired Justice Tariq ul Hakim, with Rubaba Dowla, a newly appointed BCB director, and Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla, a senior advocate of the Supreme Court, as members. The committee has been given 15 working days to submit its report.Meanwhile, as per a Cricbuzz report, the BCB has placed four officials linked to women’s cricket — manager S.M. Golam Faiyaz, physio Suraiya Akter, coach Mahmud Emon, and coordinator Sarfaraz Babu — on special duty (OSD) pending the inquiry.BCB facilities committee director Shanian Taneem, who sat beside Aminul during the press briefing, supported the president’s statement, saying, “Whether it’s an employee or a director, the investigation will cover everyone involved. If the committee recommends action, it will be implemented immediately. There will be no special treatment for anyone.”‘Allegations must be verified, but truth will prevail’While affirming the board’s zero-tolerance stance, Aminul also emphasised the need for a fair process. “If the allegations are true, they will not be tolerated. But since such investigations touch upon personal lives, it can harm those falsely accused. So they should be given five to seven days to defend themselves,” he said.The BCB’s official statement echoed the same sentiment: “The BCB is committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and professional environment for all its players and personnel. The board takes such matters with utmost seriousness and will take appropriate action based on the findings.”Manjurul, however, has denied the allegations, calling them “baseless” and “fabricated.”The case has sparked widespread debate in Bangladesh’s cricketing circles, with calls for systemic reform and greater accountability in women’s cricket. For now, all eyes are on the inquiry committee, whose findings could reshape the culture and governance of Bangladesh’s women’s cricket setup.
