Jahanara Alam sexual harassment case- Bangladesh Cricket Board finds crucial evidence

Jahanara Alam [Source: X.com]In an important development, the Independent Inquiry Committee formed by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to investigate allegations made by former Bangladesh women’s team captain Jahanara Alam has found initial evidence of inappropriate behavior. The findings are against former selector and team manager Monjurul Islam.According to a statement released by the BCB on Wednesday, the committee carefully examined four specific allegations raised by Jahanara Alam. However, after reviewing the available information, the committee could not prove two of these allegations. On the other hand, the remaining two allegations showed signs of inappropriate conduct.BCB’s official statement on Jahanara Alam’s allegationsThe BCB announced that it has already engaged its legal team to respond to the inquiry committee’s findings. This step has been taken in line with the BCB’s stated zero-tolerance policy on harassment and misconduct. The board confirmed that the inquiry found prima facie evidence of misconduct by Monjurul Islam, who served as selector and manager of the Bangladesh women’s team.The BCB received the inquiry report on January 3, shortly after the High Court issued a rule questioning the board’s silence in the investigation into Jahanara’s allegations. As stated by the BCB, “The Committee examined four specific allegations made by Jahanara Alam. Two of these allegations were not substantiated by the available evidence.”Regarding the other two allegations, the committee observed behavior that did not meet professional standards. “The Committee noted behaviour inconsistent with professional standards, and observed that certain actions fell within the definition of misconduct and harassment under the applicable guidelines of the Supreme Court.”“In view of the report of the Independent Inquiry Committee, the Board has engaged its Legal Team to address the findings in line with the BCB's zero-tolerance policy on harassment and misconduct,” the statement said.BCB makes new changes to strengthen systemAt the same time, the BCB has taken steps to strengthen its internal systems. It has formed a BCB Complaint Committee following the High Court Division’s 2009 judgment. This committee is led by BCB Director and Chairperson of the Women’s Wing Committee, Rubaba Dowla.In addition, the committee has been given the responsibility to help create an independent complaint system and to introduce mandatory awareness training. These steps aim to ensure a safe, respectful, and harassment-free environment across Bangladesh cricket.BCB forms an inquiry committeeEarlier, after becoming aware of Jahanara Alam's allegations, the BCB formed a five-member independent inquiry committee in November 2025. This was done to ensure the matter was handled fairly and transparently. The committee was chaired by Justice Tariq Ul Hakim, a former Appellate Division judge of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, along with other legal experts and BCB officials. The report was completed on January 31, 2026, and officially handed to the BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul on February 2, after nearly three months of investigation.Meanwhile, a few days earlier, the Bangladesh High Court strongly criticised the BCB for alleged inaction regarding sexual harassment cases involving women cricketers. The court asked the BCB to explain its role and ordered it to follow anti-sexual harassment guidelines.