Panel sets 15-day deadline to probe Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association sexual assault case

The five-member panel, set up by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), has set a 15-day deadline to probe sexual assault allegations by an Under-19 cricketer. Last week, an 18-year-old cricketer accused MPCA's joint-secretary Alpesh Shah of sexually harassing her.

In a letter to MPCA president Jyotiraditya Scindia, she alleged that Shah had molested her in his chamber at the Madhavrao Scindia Block in Indore on September 23. Late on Thursday, an FIR was registered under IPC section 354 (assault or criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty) against him.

Initially the state had formed a four-member panel, including chairman Dr M P Bharghava and former BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale, but later modified its composition. As per Supreme Court guidelines, the committee should be headed by a woman and not less than half of its members should be women. The MPCA panel now has an ex-women judge, a former women cricketer and a lady lawyer.

The cricketer is likely to issue a statement in court on Monday following which an arrest warrant may be issued against Shah.

In her letter, the cricketer says that Shah invited her to his cabin and when she tried to touch his feet to seek blessings, she was molested. The girl ran away from the cabin and complained to her father, who works for the MPCA. The girl's father immediately called up MPCA chairman Dr Bharghava to complain against Shah who threatened to ruin the girl's cricket career, the letter alleges.

The girl's father says that Shah offered an apology the same evening. The girl has demanded strict action against Shah, who has resigned from his position. Las week, Shah said he was innocent and the incident was a case of "misunderstanding".