Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: The Meghalaya Cricket Association Ombudsman finalized the fate of Rayonald Kharkamni on Friday. Justice B D Agarwal barred the honorary secretary from office until the current Apex Council term ends in December 2028. Kharkamni must surrender all association files, passwords, records, and equipment immediately. He loses all administrative functions.
The trouble began on December 2 and 3, 2025. The association received sexual harassment complaints via its official email account. The Meghalaya State Commission for Women found that the MCA failed to form an Internal Complaints Committee. They ignored the reports entirely. The association violated the POSH Act.
MCA President James P K Sangma suspended Kharkamni on June 27, 2026. Kharkamni fought back, but the Meghalaya High Court shut him down on October 30. Justice H S Thangkhiew ruled the suspension was not arbitrary. He ordered the MCA to build better safety protocols within six weeks. The court accused the secretary of suppressing evidence.
Kharkamni tried to challenge the Ombudsman’s authority, but the court noted his own signature authorized the appointment on March 7. Justice Agarwal sent notices to the secretary on July 6, July 24, and August 10. Kharkamni skipped every meeting. The Ombudsman ruled that the man tasked with protecting the players failed completely.
Sangma backed the survivors and pushed for accountability. He cited the state’s matrilineal roots as a reason to demand higher standards. "Ours is a matrilineal state, and we take pride in it. But this pride means nothing if such cases continue happening at workplaces across the state," Sangma stated. He wants every player to feel safe. He offered a clear message to anyone facing similar abuse. "Do not endure any wrongdoing, do not suffer in silence. Speak up," he said.
Comments