#MeToo fire spreads to BCCI; CEO Rahul Johri asked to explain sexual harassment charges

The fire of India’s own #MeToo movement that engulfed the media and entertainment industry with several women coming out with shocking allegations against bigwigs, has now reached to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

On behalf of an unnamed victim, author Harnidh Kaur had posted that BCCI CEO Rahul Johri had allegedly sexually harassed her when he was in the Discovery Channel. The victim claimed to be an ex-colleague of Johri.

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Following the woman’s allegations, the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) has given him a week’s time to respond to charges.

“The reports disclose allegations of sexual harassment made against Mr Johri, by an unnamed person through a twitter handle. The allegations also relate to his previous employment with a large media house,” the CoA said in a statement.

The CoA said that it was “appropriate” to seek an explanation from Johri even as the allegations didn’t pertain to his employment with the BCCI. The SC-monitored body, however, said that further course of action will be taken after his explanation.

“He has been asked to submit his explanation within a week. The future course of action will be considered on receipt of his explanation,” the statement read.

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The #MeToo movement in India started after former Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta's allegations of sexual harassment against National-award winning actor Nana Patekar.