‘Independent panel probing Johri must declare no conflict of interest’

The independent panel probing the sexual harassment charge against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri must declare absence of any conflict of interest in its first meeting, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) said on Tuesday after a member had to be replaced owing to this reason.

Laying down the terms of reference for the three-member panel, the CoA said the probe committee will be free to investigate all charges against Johri and would be open to hearing any “person who is desirous of placing any fact” in the matter.

Johri was accused of sexual harassment in an anonymous social media post, which has since been deleted. He has denied the allegation in response to the showcause notice issued by the COA. The probe panel originally comprised Former Allahabad High Court judge Justice Rakesh Sharma, former Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Barkha Singh and Former CBI Director PC Sharma.

However, Sharma was replaced by advocate Veena Gowda after it came to light that one of his relatives was a BCCI employee. The first meeting of the committee will be held in Mumbai but the date has not yet been specified. “In its first meeting each member of the Committee shall make a declaration of absence of conflict of interest in conducting an independent and fair enquiry against Rahul Johri,” stated the committee’s terms of reference posted on the BCCI website.

The CoA said all its communication with Johri will be provided to the independent committee. Board’s former internal complaints committee head Karina Kriplani will be its contact person for any assistance required from the BCCI.

Apart from the anonymous social media charge, former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi also claims to have information on Johri’s alleged misconduct in the past.