NEW DELHI: Aqeel Khan has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two members of the Australian women’s cricket team while they were walking from their hotel to a café in Indore. Initially, he told police that he only wanted to take a selfie with the players. However, he later admitted to following and molesting them after spotting them on his way back home.Investigations revealed that the 30-year-old had gone to Sathya Sai Square in the morning to drop off his father. While returning, he saw the players walking from Robot Square towards Khajrana. Aqeel first passed them, then took a U-turn, approached them again, and allegedly molested them before fleeing on a motorcycle without a registration number.
MIG police tracked him down using technical surveillance and intelligence inputs and arrested him. “Initially, he maintained that he only wanted a selfie, but later admitted to following and molesting the players,” said additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya. Aqeel was produced in court on Sunday and remanded in judicial custody for 15 days.The shocking incident occurred just two days before Australia’s top-of-the-table clash against South Africa in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and has raised concerns about India’s reputation as a safe sporting destination, especially ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games.In a statement, Cricket Australia confirmed the incident, saying, “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.”
