BCB pledges ‘zero tolerance’ regardless of rank if Jahanara allegations proven true

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam said there would be "zero tolerance" regarding any individual, whether team management staff or director, if allegations made by former women's team captain Jahanara Alam are found to be true.

A board official yesterday informed this newspaper that the board had decided to put a few officials on OSD (Officer on Special Duty) following Jahanara's allegations.

"The board made a decision on those who have been alleged against," BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury said.

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Yesterday, in another interview with a woman cricketer, allegations were raised against BCB director Nazmul Abedeen Fahim. Given that Jahanara's letter dates back to 2021, questions are now surfacing over whether the BCB CEO failed to take any action following her complaints of harassment.

If regular staff are being placed on OSD, some argue that the BCB should also consider putting directors or the CEO on OSD to ensure the investigation remains impartial.

Asked to clarify the board's stance, Bulbul told reporters following the Bangladesh Cricket Conference at a city hotel yesterday: "Zero tolerance."

BCB director and chairman of facilities Shahnian Tanim elaborated on reporters' questions about whether the board is creating grounds for discrimination by putting staff on OSD while directors or high-level staff are not.

"Whether it is an employee or a director, there is an investigation committee responsible for decisions," said Shahnian.

"Since the investigation committee has been declared, we are dependent on their decisions. Independently, as cricket board president or directors, we are not entitled to make any decisions.

"If they say that four employees need to be put on OSD, then that will be done. At the same time, regarding a director, the decision belongs to the committee. When they investigate, the committee will examine everyone; they will not exclude a director. As Bulbul bhai said on zero tolerance, whether president, director or employee, the board's stance is zero tolerance," he clarified.

There have been calls to form an independent committee to investigate Jahanara's allegations. BCB officials yesterday stated that if the committee uncovers other issues while investigating harassment claims, it will provide recommendations to the board.

Questions of conflict of interest have arisen, however, as BCB director Rubaba Dowla has been named a member of the three-member committee.

"She is our only female director, and in forming the committee, we wanted someone who could collect information from the board. Since this concerns matters from 2021–22, we thought the issue had been closed during that period," Bulbul said.

As new developments emerge, the committee will have their work cut out to provide a report while ensuring there is no interference from any quarters of the BCB.