2 Australian cricketers stalked, molested in Indore, accused arrested

Two Australian women cricketers, who are taking part in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, were allegedly stalked and molested by a motorcycle-borne man in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, police said on Saturday, October 25. The incident occurred on Thursday, two days before Australia's top of the table clash against South Africa in the tournament.

The police stated that while two cricketers were stalked, one of them was allegedly molested by Aqeel Khan. The incident occurred on the Khajrana Road area on Thursday morning while the team was going to a cafe from the Radisson Blu Hotel.

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Sub-Inspector Nidhi Raghuvanshi told the media that the two cricketers had stepped out of their hotel and were walking towards a cafe when a man on a motorcycle started following them. He allegedly touched one of them inappropriately and rode off.

The duo contacted their team security officer, Danny Simmons, who coordinated with local security liaison officers and dispatched a vehicle for assistance. On getting information, Assistant Commissioner of Police Himani Mishra met the two players, recorded their statements and registered a first information report under section 74 (use of criminal force to outrage a woman's modesty) and 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the MIG police station.

The official said that a bystander noted the suspect's motorcycle number, based on which the accused, Aqeel Khan, was apprehended. "Khan has prior criminal cases registered against him, and an investigation is on in the case," officer Raghuvanshi added.

Earlier, in an interview with India Today, ultramarathon runner Ashwini Ganapathi had spoken in detail about women facing harassment while being on the streets. She had put the blame on the administration for the social stigma that women face in the country.

The Australian cricket team has been stationed in Indore for a week now. They played England on Wednesday, a day before the incident happened. Australia will play South Africa on Thursday and then travel to either Guwahati or Mumbai depending upon who they are playing in the semi-final of the tournament.

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