#MeToo: BCCI CEO Rahul Johri goes on “unexpected leave” after explanation sought

The Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) CEO Rahul Johri, who was named in the #MeToo on allegations of sexual harassment has gone on “unexpected leave” after he was asked to explain the accusations against him by the Committee of Administrators (CoA).

The allegations were levied against him by an anonymous woman. The allegations were posted on Twitter by author, Harnidh Kaur (@PedestrianPoet), who also stated that she does not want the charges published or her name used in the context.

Rahul Johri, who was the Executive Vice-President and General Manager (South Asia) for Discovery Network Asia Pacific at the time, was accused of taking advantage of the victim by offering her a job opportunity.

The allegations forced the CoA to ask Johri for an explanation to the harassment charges. It is believed that he was asked to take leave to prepare a statement to present to the Committee of Administrators.

According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, Johri has taken the leave to prepare his response, while the CoA will take charge of the daily management of BCCI.

The report also added that Johri's explanation will be judged by the CoA and BCCI's legal team. The Complaints Committee, which was formed this April under the Sexual Harassment against Women at Workplace Act 2013, could also be included.

Earlier, Johri was forced to pull out of an upcoming ICC Meeting in Singapore as CoA decided to send BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary for the meeting.

CoA chief Vinod Rai said the decision was taken as Johri requested for more time to explain the harassment charges.

"Rahul had sought 14 days for a detailed explanation as he said that he is working with his legal team and since he was to attend ICC Meeting from 16-19 October in Singapore," Rai said.

"But I clearly told Rahul that I cannot let this issue simmer for 14 days as the BCCI office will be affected by it. Since he wants to sit with his lawyers now, I allowed him exemption from ICC Meeting," he added.

Reacting to the allegations of sexual misconduct leveled against BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) had on Saturday, October 13, asked him to submit an explanation within a week.

"There are certain media reports today, including in the social media, pertaining to Rahul Johri, CEO BCCI. The reports disclose allegations of sexual harassment made against Johri, by an unnamed person through a twitter handle," a CoA statement said.

"The allegations also relates to his previous employment with a large media house. The allegations have appeared as a part of the "me too" movement," the CoA statement added.

Rahul Johri, has not responded to the charges. Prior to taking up the position of CEO at BCCI, he worked with Discovery Channel from 2001 to 2016.

He became the first CEO of the BCCI after it underwent a revamp of it’s administrative structures brought about by the Lodha Committee’s recommendations.