Former Bangladesh women’s cricket captain Jahanara Alam has raised serious concerns over Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) handling of the inquiry into her sexual misconduct allegations, stating that she has neither been formally informed of the findings nor provided access to the inquiry report despite being the complainant.
The matter dates back to late 2025, when Jahanara publicly alleged sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct by a member of the Bangladesh women’s team management. Following mounting public pressure and legal scrutiny, the BCB announced the formation of a five-member Independent Inquiry Committee, chaired by a former High Court judge, to investigate the allegations. The committee was mandated to examine four specific complaints raised by Jahanara and submit its findings to the board.
The inquiry process itself came under further spotlight after the Bangladesh High Court issued observations questioning the BCB’s delay in addressing the allegations and asked the board to explain what steps had been taken to ensure a safe working environment for women cricketers. In response, the BCB informed the court that the inquiry was underway and that appropriate action would be taken based on the committee’s findings.
On February 4, 2026, the BCB issued a media release confirming that the inquiry committee had completed its investigation and submitted its report. In a detailed statement issued through her legal representatives, Jahanara acknowledged the procedural conclusion of the inquiry but criticised the board’s failure to communicate the outcome to her.
“Ms. Alam notes that the inquiry process has reportedly concluded and that the report has been submitted to the BCB as per the BCB’s media release dated February 4, 2026. She expresses her gratitude to the Independent Inquiry Committee for officially concluding the investigation.
“While this is a positive procedural development and Ms. Alam is relieved, it must be emphasised that she, as the complainant, has not been formally informed of the outcome, nor has she been provided with a copy of the Inquiry Committee’s report or any portion thereof, despite being entitled to such information,” the statement said.
According to the BCB’s release, the Inquiry Committee examined four specific allegations, finding two unsubstantiated and identifying prima facie evidence in respect of the remaining two allegations against then selector and team manager Md Monjurul Islam, whose contractual association with the board had already ended. However, concerns were raised over the lack of clarity in the board’s disclosure.
“According to the BCB’s media release, the Inquiry Committee examined four specific allegations, finding two unsubstantiated and prima facie evidence in respect of the remaining two allegations against the then selector and manager, Md Monjurul Islam. However, the release does not specify which allegations were substantiated, nor does it provide the factual basis for these conclusions. This lack of transparency is disappointing given the serious nature of the allegations,” it added.
The statement also detailed Jahanara’s attempts to seek clarification directly from the board following the media release. “Following the BCB’s media release, Ms. Alam communicated with the BCB via email seeking clarification on the inquiry report. The Board responded that the media release followed standard procedure and that its Legal Team is reviewing the report before any lawful disclosure. However, despite her request, the Board has not confirmed whether or when the report will be provided,” it said.
It was stated that while the BCB has maintained in its email correspondence that the Inquiry Committee was formed on its own initiative, it has been clarified that the committee was constituted specifically to investigate Ms. Alam’s formal sexual harassment complaint, and that irrespective of how the committee was established, entitlement to the final inquiry report rests with the complainant.
It was further reiterated that any process dealing with allegations of such gravity must be conducted in a transparent, fair and victim-centric manner, with the complainant being formally informed of the findings, provided with relevant portions of the report, and clearly advised of the concrete actions intended to be taken by the BCB in response to the Inquiry Committee’s conclusions, with further steps to be considered once the report and the Board’s decisions are formally communicated.
The case continues to draw significant attention within Bangladesh cricket, with observers noting that the manner in which the BCB proceeds could set an important precedent for how misconduct allegations are addressed in the future.
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