The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) has directed the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) to initiate disciplinary action against an Under-23 women’s cricket team coach and manager after finding that their conduct amounted to sexual harassment under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The commission’s June 5 order follows a complaint filed by six women cricketers, who accused coach Hemant Roy and assistant manager Sanjay Mondal of verbal harassment, inappropriate remarks and private communication through WhatsApp.
According to the MSCW, the players had first raised the matter with MCA officials in December last year, but no action was taken. The cricketers later approached the commission in May, prompting a formal inquiry.
After examining testimonies, documentary evidence, emails and WhatsApp records, the commission concluded that the conduct of both officials constituted sexual harassment under the POSH Act.
The MSCW has directed the MCA to suspend Roy from coaching duties for three months and ensure that he is not assigned to women’s teams in future. The commission also ordered that he be issued a written warning, stating that any repeat of similar behaviour could lead to termination.