Jaipur: The ad hoc panel of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has formed an investigative committee to probe allegations of harassment and molestation leveled by female players against Bharatpur District Cricket Association (DCA) secretary Shatrudhan Tiwari.According to details provided by ad hoc convener Mohit Jaswant Yadav following the association’s annual general meeting held Friday, the investigation committee has been directed to complete its inquiry within 25 days.“During this period, the four-member committee will record statements from aggrieved victims, cross-examine eye-witnesses and review the formal defense presented by the accused. A comprehensive final report will subsequently be submitted directly to the ad hoc panel for decisive action,” said Yadav.Tiwari, on his part, dismissed the allegations, saying it was all being done to ruin his image. He also questioned why the “victims did not go to the police and file a complaint”.“If I had molested a girl or written an objectionable chat or harassed her, why didn’t that girl go to the police station? Why did she come to RCA to file a complaint? I am ready to undergo any investigation,” Yadav told TOI.“A forensic examination should be conducted on the chats, and both the girl and I should take a lie detector test, and Mohit Yadav should take it too. The truth will be out clearly,” he added.The RCA ad hoc panel had suspended the Bharatpur DCA a few days ago after receiving complaints against its secretary. Tiwari was granted permission to attend Friday’s AGM only after challenging the suspension in the High Court.Meanwhile, ad hoc committee convener Yadav said that if the investigative committee report finds Tiwari guilty of the charges, the RCA will formally write to the state govt demanding strict legal action. “The aim is to establish a zero-tolerance policy and prevent any such incidents in the future within the state’s cricket bodies,” Yadav added.He also issued a public appeal to female athletes across the state, encouraging them to voice any grievances regarding misconduct or exploitation.The RCA has assured players of “complete backing, offering support from registering police complaints to pursuing necessary legal avenues”.“While the RCA has previously dealt with administrative complaints involving irregularities in player selections and financial discrepancies across several district units, this marks the first time a complaint regarding the harassment of female cricketers has surfaced,” Yadav said.“If the office-bearer in question is found guilty, the harshest possible penalties will be pursued. Conversely, if the allegations are proven false during the investigation, the association’s official recognition will be fully restored,” he added.
