The #MeToo wave that has engulfed the country, has singed Rahul Johri, the chief executive officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
A former colleague at his previous workplace has accused him of sexual harassment, on Friday evening. The Committee of Administrators (CoA), on Saturday afternoon, said it has asked for an explanation from Johri regarding the allegations, within a week.
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The CoA, consisting of chairman Vinod Rai and former India skipper Diana Edulji, taking cognisance of the ongoing #MeToo movement, which has witnessed prominent persons from diverse fields being called out for their alleged sexual misdemeanors, issued a brief statement on Saturday afternoon.
“There are certain media reports today, including in the social media, pertaining to Rahul Johri, CEO BCCI. The reports disclose allegations of sexual harassment made against Johri, by an unnamed person through a Twitter handle. The allegations also relate to his previous employment with a media house. The allegations have appeared as part of the “me too”movement. Though the said allegations do not pertain to his employment with the BCCI, the Committee of Administrators of the BCCI has deemed it appropriate to seek an explanation from Johri in relation to the allegations. He has been asked to submit his explanation within a week. Future course of action will be considered on receipt of his explanation.”
The allegation was made public by poet Harnidh Kaur from her Twitter handle. The victim made a specific request to remain anonymous.
The latest allegation is a major setback for the BCCI and the CoA. There is already an alleged sexual harassment complaint against a very senior official, brought to the notice of CoA. The matter, however, has reportedly been dealt with internally though the organisation has not made the details public or even acknowledged its existence.
Former Delhi Police commissioner and BCCI anti-corruption unit head Neeraj Kumar had recently acknowledged that such a matter did exist though he was not involved in dealing with the same.
