Two Australian women cricketers participating in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup were stalked, with one being molested, by a man on a motorcycle in Indore on Thursday morning. Police confirmed on Saturday that the accused, identified as Akil Khan, was arrested on Friday following the incident near Khajrana Road.
The incident occurred around 11 am on Thursday as the two players left their hotel to walk to a nearby café. According to the complaint filed by the team's security manager, Danny Simmons, a man on a motorcycle began following the players. He allegedly approached them, made inappropriate attempts to touch one player, and then fled after being confronted. One player sent a distress message with her live location to Simmons, stating, “Hey SoS, just sending you my live location… there’s a guy following us trying to grab us.”
Simmons coordinated with local liaison officers and police, who escorted the players back to their hotel. A formal complaint was lodged at the MIG police station on Thursday evening. An FIR was registered under sections 74 (assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police utilized CCTV footage and the motorcycle number noted by a bystander to identify and apprehend Khan. Police stated that Khan has prior criminal cases registered against him.
Cricket Australia confirmed the incident in a statement: "CA can confirm two members of the Australian Women's team were approached and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist while walking to a cafe in Indore. The matter was reported by team security to police, who are handling the matter." The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) called the incident "unfortunate" and noted they were reviewing security protocols, particularly how the players left the hotel premises seemingly without informing the security detail.
The Australian team has been staying in Indore since October 17 for their World Cup fixtures. The incident occurred the morning after their victory against England. They are scheduled to play their final league match against South Africa in Indore on Saturday.