Even as the allegations of sexual exploitation of a woman cricketer by an office bearer of Andhra Cricket Association has created a storm, the coach of Andhra Pradesh women cricket team Purnima Rao announced quitting her position.
She told the media that she decided to quit as her name was figuring in the reports over the happenings in the Andhra Cricket Association when she had nothing to do with it.
"I have no idea about the activities of V Chamundeswarnath (association general secretary)", she said.
Chamundy, as the Andhra Cricket Association general secretary is called, is finding himself in the eye of a storm over the allegations that he demanded sexual favors from the women cricketers for a place in the team.
While Chamundeswarnath, an influential figure even I the Board of Cricket Control of India, was away in London, axe has fallen on him in his home state.
After an inquiry by a six member committee in to the allegation of sexual harassments and alleged corruption, the committee decided to suspend him from the post of general secretary.
Though no woman player was willing to come out openly with the sordid happenings, some girls have confirmed off the record the harassment they faced at the hands of Chamundeswarnath.
The former captain of AP's women cricket team Sabita Kumari indirectly confirmed the allegations of sexual harassment when she said that deserving girls always suffered.
"At least 30 per cent of the deserving players are being left out and players who don't even turn up for the selection trials are chosen in the state team".
She said that the chief coordinator Chandni Sreesha was the main culprit as he would select the girls and send them to Chamundy.
One of the girls who faced sexual harassment alleged that Chamundi would not be happy if a player only shake hands with him. He wanted the girls to embrace him.
The parent of another player alleged that because of the harassment of Chamundi, their daughter even attempted suicide.
Sabita Kumari said that it was very unfortunate that the girls did not chose to come out with the details earlier.
The matter has now caught the attention of the government. The Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy and minister for women welfare Konda Surekha promised stringent action on the basis of a complaint lodged with the police.
