Sexual harassment: Lifetime ban for Meghalaya U-23 women’s cricket team coach, manager

GUWAHATI

The Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) has slapped a lifetime ban on the coach and manager of the State’s Under-23 women’s cricket team after the confirmation of a sexual harassment case against them.

MCA president and Rajya Sabha member James P.K. Sangma told journalists in Shillong on Saturday (June 27, 2026) that action was taken against the coach and manager of the U-23 women’s team following an order from the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW).

He said the association also suspended its honorary secretary, Rayonald Kharkamni, for allegedly suppressing the complaints submitted in December 2025 when the team was in Tripura’s capital, Agartala, for a tournament. The honorary secretary’s role in the reported cover-up has been referred to the MCA ombudsman, retired high court judge B.D. Agarwal.

MSCW Chairperson Iamonlang Syiem concluded that the allegations were true and slammed the MCA for failing to initiate an inquiry on time or protect the cricketers.

Mr Sangma, who assumed charge as the president of the MCA in March, admitted that the association did not have an Internal Complaints Committee, a mandatory requirement under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act. “The absence of this committee is a serious lapse,” he said, vowing to fast-track its formation.

He claimed that the new executive body was kept in the dark about the complaints, and the MCA secretary did not place the matter before the new Apex Council.

“The MSCW found that the office-bearers, who received the complaints, failed to act despite having knowledge of the allegations,” Mr Sangma said, distancing the current MCA leadership from the previous administration.

He added that the association would cooperate in any legal proceedings against former president Naba Bhattacharjee and two other former officials, who cannot face internal disciplinary action as they no longer hold office.

The MCA will communicate the lifetime bans to other State cricket bodies to ensure that the dismissed coach and manager are not employed anywhere else.