BCCI committee to probe threats from journalist to Saha

Mumbai: A week after Wriddhiman Saha alleged that a senior journalist was intimidating him for an interview, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter.

The committee comprises BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla, treasurer Arun Dhumal and apex council member Prabhtej Bhatia. "The BCCI has today constituted a three-member committee to look into the matter of Wriddhiman Saha receiving threats and intimidation from a senior journalist," BCCI said in a release.

"The three member committee comprises of BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla, BCCI Treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal and BCCI Apex Council Member Prabhtej Singh Bhatia. The committee will start the proceedings as early as next week. "Taking cognizance of the matter, the Indian cricket board got in touch with Saha and decided to constitute a three-member committee to investigate the matter."

Earlier, Saha, who was recently dropped from India squad for the two games against Sri Lanka, took to Twitter to announce that while he was hurt with the messages, he will not reveal the identity of the journalist. "I was hurt and offended. I thought not to tolerate such kind of behaviour and didn't want anyone to go through these kind of bullying. I decided I will go out and expose the chat in public eye, but not his/her name," Saha tweeted on February 22. "My nature isnt such that I will harm anyone to the extent of ending someone's career.

So on grounds of humanity looking at his/her family, I am not exposing the name for the time being. But if any such repetition happens, I will not hold back. I thank each and everyone who has shown support and extended their willingness to help. My gratitude." On February 19, the wicketkeeper-batter Saha had shared a screenshot of messages that a "respected" journalist had sent him on WhatsApp. The screenshot in question had the sender requesting Saha "to do an interview with me", to which Saha did not respond. The messages eventually took a more aggressive tone: "You did not call. Never again will I interview you. I don't take insults kindly. And I will remember this. This wasn't something ypu should have done." (UNI)