Shillong, June 27: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) has held four former office-bearers of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) responsible for failing to respond to sexual harassment complaints lodged by members of the state’s Under-23 women’s cricket team. In its latest order issued on June 26, the commission directed disciplinary proceedings against the former officials and ordered extensive institutional reforms under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The order follows the commission’s earlier findings that former head coach Hemant Roy and former team manager Sanjay Mondal were guilty of sexually harassing women cricketers. While the previous decision focused on the conduct of the two individuals, the latest order examined the MCA’s institutional responsibility and whether it complied with its legal obligations as an employer under the POSH Act.
After reviewing documentary evidence and recording statements from former and current MCA officials, the commission found that complaints of sexual harassment had been received through the association’s official email on December 2 and 3, 2025. However, it observed that the complaints were neither acted upon promptly nor acknowledged through any formal communication, and no enquiry or redressal mechanism was initiated.
The commission further noted that the MCA had failed to constitute an Internal Committee, despite it being a mandatory requirement under the POSH Act. It held that the absence of such a committee and the failure to act on the complaints amounted to a serious breach of statutory responsibility and reflected the association’s inability to ensure a safe workplace for women players. It rejected explanations citing elections, cricket fixtures or administrative transitions, stating that such circumstances could not override legal obligations.
Based on its findings, the commission held former MCA president Nababrata Bhattacharjee, former secretary Rayonald Kharkamni, former operations manager Shining Star Lyngdoh and former treasurer Dhrubajyoti Thakuria prima facie responsible for institutional failure. According to the order, they failed to take timely action after receiving the complaints and allowed the association to function without an Internal Committee as mandated by law.
The commission also observed that the post of MCA Ombudsman had remained vacant for nearly one-and-a-half years before the current administration assumed office, limiting the options available to players seeking redress. It additionally highlighted deficiencies in player welfare, including the absence of counselling support, a female head coach and adequate nutritional arrangements, describing these as failures in the association’s duty of care towards women cricketers.
Referring to allegations concerning the hotel used for women’s camps at Nongpoh, where reports had surfaced about contraceptives being found in players’ rooms and alleged questionable night-time activities, the commission clarified that these issues did not fall within its jurisdiction under the POSH Act. Nevertheless, it recommended a separate inquiry and directed the MCA to permanently stop using the hotel for its teams and staff.
The commission instructed the present MCA president and the association’s Ombudsman to issue show-cause notices to the four former office-bearers and initiate departmental or internal disciplinary proceedings against those found responsible for delaying or suppressing the complaints. It also directed that any official still holding office should be removed from positions involving interaction with women players until the proceedings are completed.
As part of wider institutional reforms, the commission ordered the MCA to immediately constitute a legally compliant Internal Committee, frame a written anti-sexual harassment policy, conduct mandatory POSH awareness programmes, establish a dedicated complaint reporting mechanism, provide protection against retaliation for complainants and submit a compliance report within 30 days. It further recommended suspension, disqualification or debarment of officials found to have knowingly ignored or suppressed complaints, a review of appointments of coaches and support staff for women’s teams, adoption of a women-safe sports governance protocol and annual compliance with the POSH Act.
The latest order comes after the commission’s June 5 ruling, which found former head coach Hemant Roy and former team manager Sanjay Mondal guilty of sexual harassment following complaints by six women cricketers alleging verbal harassment, inappropriate remarks and private communication through WhatsApp. Roy was suspended from coaching duties for three months and barred from future assignments involving women’s teams, while Mondal was recommended for termination and directed to issue a written apology. Both were also prohibited from contacting the complainants.
Concluding its findings, the commission stated that the failure of Bhattacharjee, Kharkamni, Lyngdoh and Thakuria to respond to the complaints reflected grave negligence and non-compliance with the statutory provisions of the POSH Act, warranting immediate disciplinary, corrective and institutional action.
