BCCI CEO Johri cleared of sexual harassment charges
MUMBAI: A three-member probe panel, constituted by the Committee of Administrators to investigate allegations of sexual harassment against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, cleared him of all charges on Wednesday.
Terming the allegations against Johri as ‘mischievous and fabricated’, the probe panel allowed Johri to resume office but one of the members recommended ‘gender sensitivity counselling’ for him. The CEO, a former top media man, Johri was facing charges of sexual harassment from at least two women.
The probe panel consisted of former Delhi Commission of Women chairperson Barkha Singh, lawyer-activist Veena Gowda and was headed by Justice (Retd) Rakesh Sharma.
Justice Sharma said in his report: “The complainants have failed to provide their cases as set up by them and we (me and Barkha Singh) are of the opinion that Rahul Johri has not abused his powers. The allegations of sexual harassment in the office or elsewhere are false, baseless and have been fabricated and manufactured with an ulterior motive to harm Johri and throw him out of BCCI as indicated in some communications, and reactions expressed in the e-mails, statements in the press.
“There has to be a balancing of the rights just as the complainant women have a right, the respondent-CEO also has a right and in these circumstances and facts of the case, we are not ready to hold him guilty of the charges. He appears to be innocent.”
Gowda has recommended counselling for Johri, following a complaint of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ in Birmingham during the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. Gowda added that there was no case of sexual harassment against Johri.
After its constitution on October 25, the committee was given 15 days by the CoA to complete their probe as Johri remained on forced leave.
The allegations had surfaced on Twitter after an anonymous email claimed the incident had taken place in Johri’s previous office. The tweets were subsequently deleted. The CoA remained divided over the matter. Diana Edulji wanted Johri to be sacked.
The panel concluded that since there is no consensus between the two members of the CoA, the chairman (Rai) stated that the “natural consequence” would be that Johri continues as the CEO of BCCI and is entitled to resume office. Edulji disagreed with this but Johri was back at BCCI office on Wednesday evening.