Two female Australian cricketers participating in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup were reportedly followed and harassed by a man on a motorcycle in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, as confirmed by the police on Saturday, October 25. The incident took place two days before Australia’s crucial match against South Africa in the tournament.
Authorities disclosed that while both cricketers were stalked, one of them was subjected to inappropriate behavior by a man identified as Aqeel Khan. The unsettling event occurred on Thursday morning along Khajrana Road while the team was en route to a cafe from the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Sub-Inspector Nidhi Raghuvanshi informed the press that the two athletes had left their hotel and were walking towards the cafe when a motorcycle rider started tailing them. The man allegedly made physical contact with one of the players before swiftly departing.
Upon contacting their team’s security officer, Danny Simmons, a vehicle was dispatched for assistance through coordination with local security officials. Assistant Commissioner of Police Himani Mishra recorded statements from the players and filed a report under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the MIG police station.
The suspect’s motorcycle number was noted by a bystander, leading to the apprehension of the accused, Aqeel Khan, who has a history of previous criminal cases. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, as stated by Officer Raghuvanshi.
In a prior interview with India Today, ultramarathon runner Ashwini Ganapathi highlighted the issue of women encountering harassment on the streets, attributing blame to societal norms perpetuated by the administration.
Acknowledging the swift response from the police, Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Devajit Saikia expressed gratitude, emphasizing the need for legal action to address such incidents promptly.
The Australian cricket team has been stationed in Indore for a week, having recently competed against England. Following their match against South Africa, they are set to proceed to either Guwahati or Mumbai for the upcoming semi-final match, depending on the tournament’s progression.