The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has received the report of an internal inquiry formed to examine allegations of misconduct in women’s cricket, shortly after the High Court issued a rule over the board’s handling of the matter.
Former national women’s team captain Jahanara Alam had brought forward allegations of sexual misconduct involving a member of the team management, leading BCB to set up a formal investigation committee.
The inquiry body was initially headed by former Appellate Division judge Justice Tariq ul Hakim, with BCB Director Rubaba Dowla and Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla among its members.
The board later expanded the committee by including Professor Dr Naima Huq, a member of the Bangladesh Law Commission and former Dhaka University law professor and senior advocate Barrister Muhammad Mustafizur Rahman Khan.
Confirming the submission of the report, Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla said the findings had been handed over to the BCB, though she declined to disclose its contents.
The investigation timeline had been extended multiple times. In early December, the BCB allowed additional time after Jahanara sought an extension to submit her written statement. The board later announced that the committee would submit its report by the end of January.
Meanwhile, on Monday, a High Court bench comprising Justice Ahmed Sohel and Justice Fatema Anwar issued a rule asking why the BCB’s lack of visible progress in the investigation should not be declared unlawful. The order followed a writ petition challenging the board’s prolonged silence.
During the hearing, senior advocate Barrister Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim represented the petitioners. The court directed the BCB to clarify what actions it has taken so far and what measures it intends to adopt regarding the allegations.
The petition argued that institutional silence in such cases discourages victims and potential complainants from seeking justice, fostering fear and mistrust.
The High Court observed that accountability and transparency are obligations of all institutions, including sports bodies and stressed that allegations of this nature must be addressed with seriousness and responsibility.
NSA
