CCTV, male ban, and female coaches: Human Rights Commission overhauls Kerala women’s cricket safety

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) to mandatorily appoint female coaches to train women and minor girls. The directive follows a suo motu case registered by the commission chairperson, Justice Alexander Thomas, based on media reports alleging sexual harassment and misconduct by a trainer.

The commission ruled that if a female coach is unavailable, the KCA must ensure the continuous presence of a senior female official during training sessions. To secure privacy, the panel ordered a total ban on the entry of men into female changing rooms, recommending warning signage where necessary. The order also states that parents of female trainees must be permitted to remain at the training venues if they wish to do so.

To prevent untoward incidents, the rights panel mandated the installation of CCTV cameras at key locations. This footage must be audited every two to three days, and any suspicious activity must be reported to law enforcement immediately. The commission emphasised that any formal complaints against coaching staff must be handed over to the police without delay.

The directive comes in the wake of criminal charges against a former assistant coach of the Thiruvananthapuram District Cricket Association, who is currently facing trial under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Thiruvananthapuram Cantonment Police have registered six separate cases against the accused. Justice Alexander Thomas urged strict compliance across all district units regarding the KCA’s decision to sever ties and halt all cooperation with the embattled coach.

To institutionalise safety, the KCA informed the commission of several upcoming measures, which the panel ordered to be executed strictly. These include making a police clearance certificate mandatory for all job applicants at the state and district levels, and drafting a comprehensive Child Protection Policy.

Furthermore, the association will set up an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to address workplace harassment, provide professional counselling to all staff members, and conduct sensitisation programs for younger coaches on preventing the sexual exploitation of children. Justice Alexander Thomas emphasised that the KCA must maintain utmost vigilance to ensure that incidents of this nature do not recur.