Two Australian Women Cricketers Stalked, One Molested in Indore; Suspect Arrested

Two Australian women cricketers, participating in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, were allegedly stalked in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday, and one of them was molested by a man on a motorcycle.

The incident occurred in the Khajrana Road area when the players stepped out of their hotel to walk to a nearby café. A man on a motorcycle reportedly followed them, touched one of the cricketers inappropriately, and then fled.

The players immediately contacted their team security officer, Danny Simmons, who coordinated with local security liaison officers to provide assistance. Assistant Commissioner of Police Himani Mishra met the players, recorded their statements, and registered a first information report at MIG police station under Sections 74 (use of criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty) and 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

A bystander noted the motorcycle’s registration number, which helped police identify and arrest the suspect, Akil Khan , who has prior criminal cases registered against him. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Such incidents expose the shocking audacity of individuals with no sense of law or decency, who dare to harass even high-profile international athletes. If a world-class cricketer cannot feel safe in public spaces in India, it raises a serious question: how secure is the country for any girl or woman? Authorities have assured that security measures for visiting athletes are being strengthened, but this episode highlights the urgent need for broader societal awareness and stricter enforcement against harassment.