The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) has asked BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to stay away from representing India at the upcoming International Cricket Council’s (ICC) chief executives’ meeting in Singapore as his named cropped up in the #MeToo Campaign, accused of involving in sexual harassment.
The CoA’s decision was made after allegations by an unidentified woman who claimed to be Johri’s colleague when he worked at a satellite TV channel. The allegations were posted on Twitter by another individual on behalf of the woman. Following the allegations, the CoA sought an explanation from Johri “within a week”.
BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary will attend the two-day meeting instead of Johri where the ICC will discuss the possibility of including cricket at the Olympics and how to tighten various T20 and T10 leagues sanctioned in the future.
In a press release, the CoA, headed by VinodRai, said,“There are certain media reports today, including in the social media, pertaining to Mr Rahul Johri, CEO BCCI. The reports disclose allegations of sexual harassment made against MrJohri by an unnamed person through a Twitter handle. The allegations also relate to his previous employment with a large media house. The allegations have appeared as a part of the ‘me too’ movement.”
The statement also added,“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 MrJohri 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.”
According to PTI, Johri had sought 14 days for a detailed explanation. “But I clearly told Rahul that I cannot let this issue simmer for 14 days as the BCCI office will be affected by it. Since he wants to sit with his lawyers now, I allowed him exemption from ICC Meeting,” PTI quoted Rai as saying.
