BCA forms a five-member committee to look after sexual harassment complaints

Former India batsman, Atul Bedade, in March, was suspended from the position of head coach of Baroda women’s team. The BCA took the decision after some of the senior players complained about Bedade’s misbehaviour during Women’s Senior One-day tournament in Himachal Pradesh.

Bedade’s suspension due to alleged sexual harassment and public shaming had rocked the entire cricketing fraternity. However, the former India international’s suspension was revoked by the BCA after the complainant refused to pursue her complaint.

“A complaint was received against Mr Atul Bedade, Head coach senior women’s team. A preliminary enquiry was conducted by the CEO and Sr. Manager HR in the matter. Based on the details provided to the Apex Committee, it was resolved by the Apex Committee that his suspension stands withdrawn,” BCA had said in a press release.

The committee consists of BCA secretary Ajit Lele

Meanwhile, BCA, in the wake of the incident, has formed a sexual harassment committee comprising five members. The committee also has BCA secretary Ajit Lele in it.

“The committee consists of BCA secretary, Ajit Lele, apex council members Jayshree Kulkarni and Kamalkant Pandya, Priyanka Verma, HR head and Sweta Vyas, an external member,” said Satyajit Gaekwad, chairman of BCA’s press and publicity committee, as quoted by The Times of India. The committee will be responsible to inquire and take action against the complaints of sexual harassment.

“Yes, he is being suspended with immediate effect pending an inquiry by probe committee having one neutral member from outside BCA,” BCA secretary Ajit Lele had said post Bedade’s suspension. “It is standard practice (suspension) after you receive a complaint of sexual harassment,” a BCA source had revealed.

Recently, there were reports of a rift in the association as Lele had refused to sign on the letter revoking Bedade’s suspension. Lele had demanded a detailed inquiry over Bedade but BCA president Pranav Amin was more inclined towards revoking the former India cricketer’s suspension. Before donning the women’s coach role, Bedade had also coached the men’s team of Baroda.

Furthermore, BCA, on July 23, is also going to organize its pending annual general meetings of 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 in order to pass the annual accounts.