BCCI bans journalist Boria Majumdar for ‘intimidating’ Wriddhiman Saha | Cricket

The BCCI issued an order on Wednesday to all state units to ban journalist Boria Majumdar for two years after finding that he intimidated wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, a contracted India player.

The decision was taken by the BCCI Apex Council on following a probe report by a committee on charges levelled by Saha. The probe panel comprised the board’s vice-president Rajiv Shukla, treasurer Arun Dhumal and Apex Council member Prabhtej Singh Bhatia. It found Majumdar guilty of bullying Saha.

On Feb 19, Saha had shared a series of tweets calling out the journalist for using initimidatory languge over WhatsApp seeking an interview. Saha had shared screenshots of his conversation with Majumdar, after the player did not revert to his request for an interview. “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,” the screenshot read.

“After all of my contributions to Indian cricket..this is what I face from a so called “Respected” journalist! This is where the journalism has gone,” Saha tweeted. Although the wicket-keeper was initially reluctant to name the Kolkata-based journalist, he revealed his identity during the hearing.

“The BCCI Committee considered the submissions by both Mr Saha and Mr Majumdar and concluded that the actions by Mr Majumdar were indeed in the nature of threat and intimidation,” BCCI acting CEO Hemang Amin wrote in the statement addressed to state associations.

“The Apex Council of BCCI agreed with the recommendations of the BCCI Committee and imposed the following sanctions: i. 2 (two) year ban on getting any accreditation as a member of the press in any of the cricket matches (domestic and international) in India; ii. 2 (two) year ban on getting any interview with any registered players in India; and iii. 2 (two) year ban on access to any of BCCI and members associations owned cricket facilities. We hereby request you to kindly facilitate the compliance of the aforementioned sanctions in your respective associations,” Amin wrote.

On March 5, Majumdar had tweeted alleging that Saha had “doctored, tampered” screenshots of his WhatsApp chats and threatened to send him a defamation notice. Majumdar is yet to react to the ban. He did not respond to calls and messages seeking a response.