U-23 cricketers’ sexual harassment case
SHILLONG, June 28: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) has indicted former MCA president Naba Bhattacharjee for failing to act on sexual harassment complaints by U-23 women cricketers, leaving the state government with a moral and political ultimatum: remove the veteran administrator from his advisory roles or compromise on its “zero-tolerance” promise.
Addressing a press conference, current MCA president James PK Sangma stated that while the association no longer has jurisdiction over Bhattacharjee, his continued presence in government-appointed advisory roles is a matter for the state to decide.
“Whether you are directly responsible or chose to turn the other way and ignore complaints of sexual harassment, these are matters of a very grave nature,” Sangma said. He added that the Commission’s findings suggest Bhattacharjee is “guilty of sexual harassment” by failing to protect the players, an indictment that risks the state’s reputation as a safe haven for women.
The MCA will formally communicate the MSCW findings and suspension orders to the North East Cricket Development Committee (NECDC), which is chaired by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and convened by Bhattacharjee.
The fallout comes amid a deepening financial and administrative crisis within the MCA. A bitter deadlock between Sangma and suspended Honorary Secretary Rayonald Kharkamni over bank signatories has left support staff unpaid for over six months. While the duo trades blame over constitutional technicalities regarding who must sign cheques, the association’s financial records have revealed significant rot.
Internal reviews cited by Sangma point to “disproportionate” spending of BCCI funds. In one instance, the association was billed Rs 16.29 lakh by a private resort in Ri-Bhoi for an election event attended by only 30 to 32 people.
Further discrepancies were found in airline bookings, where the association was allegedly charged more than 100% above the actual ticket costs.
Sangma questioned why such expenditures, including the resort stay, were never subjected to Apex Council scrutiny. However, the President himself faces questions regarding why these oversight mechanisms were not enforced from the start of his tenure.
Kharkamni, also named in the MSCW report for failing to act on the December 2025 complaints, has dismissed Sangma’s claims, accusing the president of “bulldozing” resolutions to gain exclusive control over the bank accounts.
As the two leaders battle for administrative control, the human cost remains high. The MSCW report confirms that young women cricketers were left without recourse after reporting misconduct, while the association’s funds were allegedly drained through inflated hospitality and travel bills.
Despite the turmoil, Sangma insisted that preparations for the upcoming domestic season remain on track under a newly formed Cricket Advisory Committee. He appealed to players for patience as the association attempts to transition toward greater accountability.
