U-23 cricketers’ sexual harassment
SHILLONG, June 26: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) has held former office-bearers of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) responsible for serious institutional lapses in handling sexual harassment complaints from members of the Under-23 Women’s Cricket Team, terming their inaction a grave violation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).
Not satisfied with the verdict, the MCA has decided to challenge the order in court.
In a detailed order issued on Friday, MSCW Chairperson Iamonlang Syiem held that the failure of then MCA president Naba Bhattacharjee, honorary secretary Rayonald Kharkamni, operations manager Shining Star Lyngdoh, and former treasurer Dhrubajyoti Thakuria amounted to institutional negligence warranting disciplinary and corrective action.
The Commission had earlier found former head coach Hemant Roy and team manager Sanjay Mondal guilty of sexual harassment. The latest order focused on the MCA’s institutional accountability.
Complaints were received via the MCA’s official email on December 2 and 3, 2025. Despite this, the then office-bearers failed to initiate any inquiry, communicate with the complainants, or activate grievance redressal mechanisms. The MCA had also not constituted the mandatory Internal Committee under Section 4 of the POSH Act, leaving women players without statutory protection.
The Commission noted that excuses citing elections and administrative transitions could not override legal obligations. It further highlighted that the MCA’s Ombudsman post had remained vacant for nearly 18 months.
Additional concerns included lack of counselling services, female coaches, and proper nutritional support for the women’s team, as well as allegations of pressure on players not to approach the Commission and breaches of confidentiality.
The MSCW directed the current MCA president and Ombudsman to issue show-cause notices to the former office-bearers, initiate disciplinary proceedings, and remove them from roles involving women players pending inquiry.
It also ordered the MCA to immediately form a compliant Internal Committee, adopt a written anti-sexual harassment policy, conduct mandatory POSH awareness programmes, establish a monitored complaint mechanism, protect complainants from retaliation, and submit a compliance report within 30 days.
The Commission further recommended suspension or disqualification of officials who suppressed complaints and the introduction of comprehensive women’s safety protocols for camps, lodging, and reporting. It also directed the MCA to permanently stop using the Nongpoh hotel for women’s camps following allegations of questionable activities.
Reacting to the order, MCA honorary secretary Rayonald Kharkamni said the association respects the findings against the two individuals accused of harassment but disagrees with the directions against office-bearers.
He argued that the MCA operates under its constitution aligned with BCCI guidelines, where decisions are collective.
Kharkamni questioned holding officials responsible during the election transition period in December 2025 and suggested that responsibility, if any, should also extend to the present leadership.
