BCB receives probe report on Jahanara Alam misconduct allegations

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received the investigation report into allegations of misconduct in women’s cricket raised by former national captain Jahanara Alam, a member of the five-member inquiry committee confirmed on Monday, February 2.

Jahanara had alleged that she was sexually assaulted by a member of the team management, prompting the BCB to form an investigation committee to probe the matter. Initially, the board announced that the committee would be chaired by Justice Tariq Ul Hakim, former judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. The other members included BCB director Rubada Dowla and senior Supreme Court lawyer and President of the Women’s Sports Association, Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla.

The committee was later expanded to five members with the inclusion of Professor Dr Naima Huq, former Chair of the Department of Law at the University of Dhaka and current member of the Law Commission, Bangladesh, and Barrister Muhammed Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court.

According to Cricbuzz, Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla confirmed that the report has now been submitted to the board. The investigation deadline had been extended multiple times since the committee was formed. On December 2, the BCB announced its first extension, stating that Jahanara had requested additional time to submit a written complaint and was granted a further 15 days. On December 21, the board again stated that the committee would submit its report by January 31.

The submission of the report came just hours after the High Court issued a rule questioning the BCB’s apparent inaction in the case. On February 2, the High Court asked why the board’s silence in addressing the allegations should not be declared illegal.

The order was delivered by a High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar, following a writ petition. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim, along with other lawyers, represented the petitioners during the hearing.

The court directed the BCB to explain why its alleged indifference and inaction in handling the complaint should not be deemed unlawful. The board was also instructed to inform the court of the steps it has taken or plans to take in response to the allegations.

The writ petition stated that continued silence by authorities in such cases discourages not only the victim but also potential victims from coming forward due to fear and lack of trust, ultimately obstructing justice.

The High Court emphasized that ensuring transparency and accountability is the responsibility of every institution, whether educational, professional, medical, industrial, or sporting, and that allegations of this nature must be treated with the utmost seriousness.