BCB moves to form independent complaints committee for women cricketers, with no board directors on it

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has taken an initiative to form an independent complaints committee to investigate complaints from women cricketers impartially. Under the plan, no current director of the board will sit on the committee; it will be made up of people from outside the board.

The aim of the move is to ensure that women cricketers can lodge their complaints without fear or hesitation, it has been learned.

A BCB official said on Monday that the matter was discussed at a board working committee meeting held on October 28 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. However, the proposal has not yet received final approval; a decision will be taken after it is placed before the board meeting.

The official from the 11-member working committee said: “Yes, the issue (forming an independent complaints committee) was raised at the last working committee meeting. We agreed that such a committee needs to be formed.”

He added: “It has not been approved yet. The proposal has been raised, but it will have to be placed before the board meeting.” In other words, the final decision on forming the committee will come from the board meeting.

The BCB wants to include outsiders so that the committee can work independently. The official said: “We want to bring in people from outside for the committee. That way, if a woman cricketer files a complaint against someone, a neutral and fair investigation can be ensured.”

It has been learned that a section of the BCB's top officials believes including outsiders is essential, because if a complaint is raised against an official or employee working under a committee, members of that committee could influence the investigation process. The independent committee is being planned to avoid that risk.