Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Oct 25: In a chilling incident that spoil India’s reputation as a host, two members of the Australian women’s cricket team, currently in India for the 13th edition of the Women’s World Cup, were “approached and touched inappropriately” in Indore in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed in a statement on Saturday.
The Australian women’s cricket team was in Indore for its match against South Africa on Saturday in the Women’s World Cup currently being played in India and Sri Lanka.
According to police, two members of the Australian women’s cricket team were allegedly molested while walking from Hotel Radisson Blu to a nearby cafe, “The Neighborhood,” on Khajrana Road, which is roughly 3 km from their hotel, when a motorcyclist committed the offence.
A bystander noted the suspect’s bike number, which later helped police track him down through CCTV footage. The accused, later identified as Aqueel Khan reportedly followed the players on a bike before inappropriately touching one of them and fleeing the scene.
“Cricket Australia 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 CA statement read. “The matter was reported by team security to police who are handling the matter,” it further added.
According to sources, the incident took place around 11 a.m. The terrified players immediately sent an emergency message and live location to their team’s security officer, Danny Simmons. “I was reading their message when one of the players called me, crying. She told me what had happened. We immediately dispatched a car and brought them safely to the hotel,” Simmons said.
Shortly after the incident, the players alerted Mr Simmons, who filed a complaint at the M.I.G. Police Station. The police consequently registered a first information report (FIR). The accused, Aqueel Khan, has been arrested and charged under sections 74 and 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The MIG Police Station filed an FIR based on the complaint from Simmons. In a rare show of urgency, five police stations — Vijay Nagar, MIG, Khajrana, Pardeshipura, and Kanadiya — were roped in for a coordinated manhunt. Within six hours, the accused Aqueel, a resident of Khajrana with prior criminal records, was arrested from Azad Nagar.
Indore’s Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Addl DCP, Crime Branch) Rajesh Dandotiyan confirmed that on Thursday, around 11 am, two Australian women’s cricketers left their team hotel and headed to a cafe. It was during this phase that the two Australian cricketers suffered from “inappropriate behaviour” by the accused, Aqueel, who hails from Azad Nagar.
“The Security officers of the women’s Australian Cricket Team filed a complaint that two members of the team faced inappropriate behaviour. An FIR was registered, and the accused was identified and arrested following an Intensive Strategic Operation. The accused Aqueel, who has prior criminal records, is a resident of Azad Nagar. He has been charged under sections 74 and 78 of the BNS. The incident occurred around 11 am on 23rd October, when members of the women’s Australian Cricket Team were walking towards a cafe from their hotel. We are examining if there were any shortfalls in the security protocols,” he said.
The shocking incident has prompted a major overhaul of player security. Police Commissioner Santosh Singh expressed anger over the lapse and reprimanded the Intelligence Wing. Extra forces have been deployed along the route from the team hotel to Holkar Stadium.
Condemning the incident, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday termed the incident unfortunate and that it brings disrepute. The BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla said the required precautions would be taken. “The entire incident is very unfortunate, and we condemn it. We will take all the required precautions. The Police have nabbed the accused,” Rajiv Shukla said.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said also echoed the same, appreciating Madhya Pradesh Police’s prompt action. “It is a very unfortunate incident. This type of incident brings disrepute. We appreciate the State Police for their prompt action to nab the culprit. Let the law take its course to punish the culprit,” Mr Saikia said.
Mahaanaryaman Scindia, President of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened, shocked, and appalled by this unfortunate incident. No woman should have to endure such behaviour. It is extremely painful for the players, for the sports community, and for the people of Indore. One person’s act has tarnished the city’s image of warmth and respect.”
The incident has triggered political outrage. Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari said, “Indore is known for its hospitality, but this raises serious questions about law and order. The fear of police has vanished in Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister, must answer who was responsible and what went wrong.”
Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya called it “a matter of national honour,” promising the harshest punishment. BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma echoed the sentiment and said, “This incident has shamed Indore. Whether the daughter is from Australia or England, her safety is our responsibility. Strict action will be taken, and NSA proceedings will be initiated against Aqueel. The molestation of an Australian woman cricketer is unfortunate and shameful. The government acted swiftly and caught the culprit. Aqueel conspired to defame Indore, a city known worldwide for its cleanliness and culture.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi weighed in on the “disgraceful” act and highlighted the failure to provide safe spaces for women. “Disgraceful. We boast about economic growth, but, we continue to fail providing safe spaces for women. What a shameful act,” Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote on X.
