BCCI CEO Rahul Johri cleared of sexual harassment charges
What's the story
The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA), charged with looking after the BCCI's administration, has ruled that BCCI CEO Rahul Johri will continue in his post and resume his duties. The decision was taken after a probe panel gave a clean chit to Johri on sexual harassment allegations against him. However, one member of the panel recommended "gender sensitivity counselling" for him. Here's more.
Allegations
Backstory: The sexual harassment allegations against Johri
The sexual harassment allegations against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri surfaced on October 13, when a twitter handle, @PedestrianPoet, shared the story of an anonymous journalist. In the account, the journalist alleged, among other things, that she had been forced to give Johri a blow job. Subsequently, however, the tweet was taken down, and the tweeter requested privacy. Johri, meanwhile, denied all the allegations.
Twitter Post
The tweet that requested privacy for the survivor
@ ALL press. Do NOT quote/mention/link my tweets, name me, or take screenshots for publication. The survivor wants her privacy respected. So do I. If you mention us now it will be in violation of this very specific request. I’m travelling and won’t be responding to DMs. Thanks.
— peglet (@PedestrianPoet) October 13, 2018
Split
The CoA had been divided on the Johri issue
Following the allegations, the CoA was charged with deciding what action to take on the allegations against Johri. However, there was a sharp divide between CoA chairman Vinod Rai, and former India women's team captain and CoA member Diana Edulji. While Rai argued for a "fair and transparent" investigation into the allegations, Edulji wanted Johri's resignation since the allegations were "grave" in nature.
Probe panel
A three-member panel investigated the allegations against Johri
Subsequently, a three-member probe panel was formed comprising former Allahabad High Court judge Justice (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma, former Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Barkha Singh and former CBI Director P C Sharma. However, Sharma was replaced by advocate Veena Gowda after it emerged that one of his relatives was a BCCI employee. Despite the clean chit given to Johri, Gowda recommended counselling for the BCCI CEO.