Rahul Johri case: Probe begins, BCCI submit all documents to panel

BCCI has submitted all the relevant documents to it and November 9 has been set as the deadline for any fresh complainants

The probe into the alleged sexual harassment charge against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri has been initiated by an independent committee appointed by the Committee of Administrators (CoA). The boar od Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has submitted all the 'relevant' documents to it and November 9 has been set as the deadline for any fresh complainants.

The independent committee, comprised of comprising former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Rakesh Sharma, former Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Barkha Singh and lawyer Veena Gowda, had a meeting in Mumbai where they discuss the terms of reference.

Johri has already replied to the show cause notice served by the COA where he has denied all allegations levelled against him.

“The BCCI submitted the relevant documents in their possession to the committee. The Committee shall hear and scrutinise the material before it for the next two days,” a BCCI release stated.

A separate e-mail address has been created for anyone to lodge a formal complaint with the committee.

“Any person whether from BCCI or otherwise, who may have any complaint/information/evidence to address the Committee concerning allegations of sexual harassment may send the same to the Committee at bcciinquirycommittee@gmail.com within 7 days i.e. 9th November 2018,” the statement read.

Once the complaints are received, it will be the committee's discretion to call anyone for a deposition.

“The proceedings and the deliberations of the Committee, including the name and identity of any complainant, who shall depose before the Committee, shall be kept strictly confidential,” the BCCI said.

The committee's next meeting has been set for November 10 and 11 and it will scrutinise any information that is brought to its notice.

The Committee has been mandated to submit its final report within 15 days of its appointment.