Indore: Two Australian women cricketers were reportedly stalked and molested by a man while returning to their hotel after visiting a café on Ring Road in Indore on Thursday morning around 11 am. The suspect has been identified as Akil Khan. A police official stated that a bystander recorded the motorcycle number of the suspect, which led to the arrest. “We had received a complaint from the Australian security team that two players encountered inappropriate behavior while returning to the hotel from a café. A case was filed on Thursday night, and the suspect was apprehended as part of an intensive strategic operation,” said Rajesh Dandotiya, additional DCP of the crime branch in Indore.
The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) expressed deep concern over the alleged molestation of the two Australian women cricketers in Indore. “No woman should have to face such inappropriate behavior. We extend our deepest sympathies to the affected players. This incident is painful not only for the players but for the entire sports community, as well as for our state and city,” stated Mahanaaryaman Scindia, President of the MPCA, on his X account. The players, members of the Australian women’s team participating in the ICC Women’s World Cup, were staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel with their teammates.
The team’s security manager, Danny Simmons, filed a complaint at the MIG police station, leading to a case being registered under sections 74 and 78 of the BNS for assault or criminal force against a woman intending to outrage her modesty, and stalking. According to the FIR, the incident took place around 11 am when the two players left the hotel to visit a nearby café. Simmons, who is responsible for the safety of the Australian touring party, reported that he received a live location alert from one of the players at 11:08 am, indicating they were in distress.
The players were about 500 meters from the hotel when one of them sent a message stating a man on a motorcycle had approached them and attempted to grab one of them before they confronted him. Simmons recounted that the player texted him, “Hey SoS, just sending you my live location… there’s a guy following us trying to grab us.” Shortly after, the player called to inform that a man on a motorcycle had allegedly come close and made inappropriate attempts to touch one of the players. Both players resisted, and the man fled. The suspect was described as being around 30 years old, wearing a white shirt and black cap, and riding a black motorcycle without a helmet.
Acting promptly, the team’s liaison officers were notified and directed to assist the players at the location. A police patrol unit later arrived and safely escorted the cricketers back to their hotel. The complaint noted that the player later messaged Simmons again, informing him that local police had arrived and helped them return safely. The incident was reported to senior officers, and a formal complaint was filed at MIG police station the same night. The FIR was registered at 10:24 pm. Police officials stated that CCTV footage from the area was reviewed, leading to the identification of the suspect. The Australian team has been in Indore since October 17 in preparation for their World Cup matches.
