Bangladesh HC Slams BCB: ‘Unlawful’ Inaction on Female Cricketers’ Safety Exposed

The silence is over. The walls are closing in on the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). In a powerful and unprecedented intervention, the Bangladesh High Court has directly challenged the BCB’s long-standing negligence, declaring its failure to ensure a safe, harassment-free environment for its female cricketers’ safety as potentially “unlawful, without lawful authority, and against public interest.” This isn’t just a reprimand; it’s a judicial earthquake that could reshape the future of women’s cricket in the nation.

The court’s sharp questioning comes in direct response to a writ petition filed after former national women’s cricket captain Jahanara Alam came forward with harrowing allegations of sexual harassment against a senior BCB official [[13]]. Her public testimony, shared on a YouTube channel, sent shockwaves through the sporting community and finally forced the issue into the open [[18]].

Table of Contents

• The High Court’s Unprecedented Ruling
• The Jahanara Alam Allegations: A Catalyst for Change
• BCB Anti-Harassment Policy: A Paper Tiger?
• Why This Ruling is a Game-Changer for Women’s Cricket
• Conclusion: A New Era of Accountability
• Sources

The High Court’s Unprecedented Ruling

The bench didn’t mince words. It issued a formal rule asking the BCB to explain why its continued inaction should not be declared illegal. More importantly, the court has ordered the BCB to immediately implement its own anti-sexual harassment policy, aligning it with the High Court’s own 2009 guidelines on preventing workplace harassment [[22]]. Until the case is fully resolved, the BCB is under a legal obligation to act, not just talk.

This ruling is significant because it moves the conversation from internal board politics to a matter of legal and public accountability. The court has essentially told the BCB that protecting its athletes is not a discretionary act but a fundamental duty. The message is clear: the era of sweeping such issues under the rug is over.

The Jahanara Alam Allegations: A Catalyst for Change

At the heart of this crisis is former star pacer and captain Jahanara Alam. Her decision to speak out about alleged sexual harassment and mental abuse by a former selector during her tenure was a courageous act that broke a culture of silence [[16]]. Her allegations, which reportedly date back to the 2022 period, were the final straw that prompted legal action [[15]].

In the immediate aftermath, the BCB announced a probe, even forming a committee that included its Women’s Wing [[12]]. The board’s president, Nazmul Hassan Papon, publicly vowed a “zero tolerance” policy [[23]]. However, the High Court’s intervention suggests that these initial steps were seen as insufficient or merely performative, lacking the genuine commitment required to create a truly safe environment for women athletes.

BCB Anti-Harassment Policy: A Paper Tiger?

The most damning aspect of the High Court’s order is its directive for the BCB to actually implement its existing anti-harassment policy. This implies that while the policy may exist on paper, it has been effectively dormant or ignored in practice. The court is forcing the BCB to move from theory to action.

For years, athlete welfare advocates have argued that sports bodies in the region often create policies to appease external pressure but fail to establish the robust internal mechanisms—like independent grievance cells, confidential reporting channels, and swift disciplinary actions—needed for real protection [[27]]. The High Court’s order is a direct challenge to this systemic failure. It’s no longer enough to have a policy; they must live by it.

Why This Ruling is a Game-Changer for Women’s Cricket

This judicial intervention is about far more than one case. It sets a powerful precedent for the entire sporting ecosystem in Bangladesh and beyond. Here’s why it matters:

• Empowerment for Athletes: It sends a clear signal to current and future female athletes that their safety is a legal right, not a privilege, and that they have a powerful ally in the judiciary if their governing body fails them.
• Institutional Accountability: The BCB can no longer operate as a closed shop. Its actions (or inactions) are now subject to judicial scrutiny, raising the bar for governance across all sports federations.
• Cultural Shift: By framing the issue as a matter of public interest, the court is helping to shift the cultural narrative from victim-blaming to institutional responsibility.

This case is a stark reminder that the success of a women’s sports program isn’t just measured in wins and losses, but in the integrity and safety of its environment. A toxic culture will always undermine on-field performance.

Conclusion: A New Era of Accountability

The Bangladesh High Court’s strong stance on female cricketers’ safety marks a pivotal moment. It has shifted the burden of proof and action squarely onto the BCB. The board now faces a choice: comply fully and transparently with the court’s order, or face the legal and reputational consequences of being declared unlawful. For the women who wear the national jersey, this ruling offers a glimmer of hope for a future where their talent is nurtured in a safe and respectful environment. The world of cricket, and indeed all of Bangladesh, will be watching closely to see how the BCB responds to this historic call for justice. For more on the global fight for athlete safety, see [INTERNAL_LINK:womens-cricket-governance].

Sources

• [[1]] Times of India: “‘Unlawful’: Bangladesh HC questions BCB over female crickters’ safety”
• [[13]] Cricket Times: “BCB responds after Jahanara Alam accuses former selector of sexual harassment”
• [[15]] Law Street: “Bangladesh Cricket Board Initiates Probe into Sexual Harassment Allegations”
• [[16]] Bdnews24: “Jahanara ‘harassment’ probe launched”
• [[18]] NDTV Sports: “Women’s Wing Of BCB To Probe Allegations Of Sexual Harassment”
• [[22]] Dhaka Tribune: “HC issues rule questioning BCB’s failure to ensure women cricketers’ safety”
• [[23]] Times of India: “‘Zero tolerance’: Bangladesh Cricket Board president vows strict action”
• [[27]] Law Street: “Bangladesh Cricket Board Initiates Probe into Sexual Harassment Allegations”