Inquiry sought against former Baroda women’s coach

Vadodara: The trouble is not over for former India player Atul Bedade whose suspension was withdrawn by the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) earlier this month. Members of Mahila Suraksha Samiti (MSS) approached the BCA on Monday and urged it to conduct a proper inquiry against Bedade who had faced accusations of harassment from a Baroda woman cricketer.
“He was suspended pending inquiry. However, Bedade’s suspension was revoked without the inquiry being completed. Why didn’t the BCA inquire properly into the matter and act? The woman cricketer must get justice and hence I have stepped in,” said MSS chairperson Shobha Raval.
“We met BCA secretary Ajit Lele and urged him to initiate an inquiry into the allegations of the woman cricketer again. I have demanded that the inquiry should be over in 10 days and necessary action should be taken, else I will approach the courts,” Raval told TOI.
Fifty-two-year-old Bedade, who was the coach of Baroda women’s cricket team, was suspended by the BCA in March this year after the association received complaints of harassment against him.
The BCA, however, took a U-turn and cancelled his suspension earlier this month without conducting a proper inquiry. The association claimed that as the complainant had withdrawn her complaint, Bedade’s suspension was revoked. But the BCA did not continue with his services as the coach, considering the sensitivity of the matter and in the interest of the association.
Lele had objected to the withdrawal of Bedade’s suspension and had demanded a detailed inquiry into the matter.