Indian Cricket Board forms first ever Internal Complaints Committee to address Sexual Harassment cases

Indian Cricket Board (Source: Twitter)

In one of the biggest developments for the game, the Indian Cricket Board has come up with a new anti-sexual harassment policy. The board has also formed an internal compliance committee to address cases of sexual harassment by women in the workplace. The committee will work in compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013.

In the recent press release, the board also informed us about the members of the Compliant Committee. The four members are Presiding Officer Rupawati Rao, External Member Usha Devendra Andewar, GM Cricket Operations Abey Kuruvilla, and Gaurav Saxena. The victims can register their complaints online via icmembers@bcci.tv.

Speaking about the need for the policy, the board said, "The board has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment, including sexual harassment at the workplace. The main purpose of the policy is to promote a safe working environment for all, free from any sort of workplace harassment, including sexual harassment."

Who will come under the new anti-sexual harassment policy?

According to the board, the new policy will be applicable to everyone who is, in any way, a part of the board. It will be applicable to office bearers, members of the Apex Council, the governing council of the Indian Premier League, members of any other committee, administrators of state associations, employees, and players of international and state teams. The commentator, team officials, and any other contracted employees of the board will come under this policy.

The administrators of all Indian Premier League franchises and office bearers will also come under this category. Match officials, umpires, doctors, physiotherapists, trainers, and other support staff will also be obliged to follow it. It's worth noting that recently, many female athletes have opened up about their poor experience in different sports in India. It is a good move by the board to prevent such harassment within it.