Indore, India – Akil Khan, the man accused of molesting two Australian women cricketers in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, was seen limping with visible injuries to his hand and leg in a video that has gone viral. Khan is currently in police custody and has been remanded for two days.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning when the two cricketers were walking to a café from their hotel in the Saket area of Indore. The players were in Indore to participate in the ICC Women's World Cup, with one of their matches being against South Africa on Saturday. According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Australian team's security manager, Danny Simmons, the incident took place approximately 500 meters from the team hotel. A man on a motorcycle reportedly approached the cricketers twice, molesting them before fleeing the scene.
Simmons reported that one of the players sent him a text message saying, "Hey SoS, just sending you my live location... there's a guy following us trying to grab us". The man was described as being around 30 years old, wearing a white shirt and black cap, and riding a black motorcycle without a helmet.
Following the incident, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was notified, and multiple teams were deployed to apprehend the accused. According to Indore Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh, Khan attempted to evade arrest and even tried to jump into a sewage drain.
Akil Khan has been booked under Sections 74 and 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for assault or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, and stalking. MIG Police Station in-charge CB Singh confirmed the charges. Police are currently investigating the case and tracing all leads related to the incident. It has also been noted that Khan has prior criminal cases registered against him.
The incident has drawn condemnation from various officials. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia called it a "very condemnable but stray incident". Madhya Pradesh state minister Kailash Vijayvargiya stated that "This is not just misbehaviour with a woman player, but a stain on India's image".
Cricket Australia (CA) released a statement confirming the incident and stating that the matter was reported to the police, who are handling the investigation. "CA can confirm two members of the Australian Women's team were approached and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist while walking to a café in Indore," the statement read.
The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) also expressed their distress over the incident. MPCA secretary Sudhir Asnani stated, "The MPCA is deeply pained and shocked by the disturbing incident of misconduct and inappropriate behaviour with two players from the Australian Women's Cricket Team on the streets of Indore near the team hotel".
The Australian team has continued with their World Cup campaign, defeating South Africa in their final group-stage match in Indore. Semifinals and the final are scheduled to be held in Guwahati and Navi Mumbai.
