Two Australian women cricketers were allegedly subjected to inappropriate touching by a motorcyclist while walking to a cafe in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday. The incident reportedly occurred as the team was enjoying a rare day off following their six-wicket win over England.
According to Indian police, two security officers from the Australian women's cricket team filed a complaint alleging that they were approached by a motorcyclist who touched them inappropriately. An FIR (first information report) was immediately registered, and the accused man was identified and arrested following an intensive investigation.
The motorcyclist has been charged under sections 74 and 78 of the Indian Penal Code, which deal with assault or using criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty and stalking, respectively. Police officials are currently reviewing whether there were any lapses in security protocols that contributed to the incident.
Cricket Australia issued a statement confirming that two team members had been touched inappropriately by the motorcyclist while walking to a cafe. The players have been offered support, and they will continue playing in the tournament. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to comment on the matter.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia described the incident as "deeply regrettable and isolated." He praised the swift action taken by police in apprehending the accused, stating that the law will take its due course to ensure justice is served. The BCCI has also announced plans to review and strengthen existing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident broke news just as Australia took to the field for their final-round match, with a spot in the semi-finals already secured.
According to Indian police, two security officers from the Australian women's cricket team filed a complaint alleging that they were approached by a motorcyclist who touched them inappropriately. An FIR (first information report) was immediately registered, and the accused man was identified and arrested following an intensive investigation.
The motorcyclist has been charged under sections 74 and 78 of the Indian Penal Code, which deal with assault or using criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty and stalking, respectively. Police officials are currently reviewing whether there were any lapses in security protocols that contributed to the incident.
Cricket Australia issued a statement confirming that two team members had been touched inappropriately by the motorcyclist while walking to a cafe. The players have been offered support, and they will continue playing in the tournament. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to comment on the matter.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia described the incident as "deeply regrettable and isolated." He praised the swift action taken by police in apprehending the accused, stating that the law will take its due course to ensure justice is served. The BCCI has also announced plans to review and strengthen existing safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident broke news just as Australia took to the field for their final-round match, with a spot in the semi-finals already secured.
this is really messed up... I mean, can you imagine being on your day off and someone just grabs you? It's crazy that it happened right under security cameras too... I hope they get some good support from Cricket Australia and the ICC because that must be super stressful for them.
Ugh, what's up with these Australian cricketers walking around India without some decent security? I mean, they're basically asking to be targeted by some random motorcyclist who decides to take advantage of them 
. And now the BCCI is all like "oh no, we'll review our safety protocols"... about time, mate! 
. I mean, seriously, who goes for a ride on their motorbike just to... mess with some women? 
It's just common sense, you know? 
This is so messed up... I feel bad for those women cricketers who were touched by this motorcyclist without consent 
We need to make sure that women have support and protection wherever they go 
. It's not just about punishing the perpetrator, but also about making sure everyone else stays safe 
.
. like, i get that accidents happen but this is totally unacceptable. the fact that it happened while they were walking to a cafe with their security detail is just insane 
. i hope those players are okay and getting the support they need.
. but seriously, how does something like this even happen in a country like india where security should be a top priority? 
what a bummer for those two cricketers on a rare day off thinking they could even enjoy themselves like, who does something like that?! 
hopefully justice is served and that guy gets what's coming to him 
The fact that they had to file a complaint and go through all this drama just to get support is wild 
. And now the BCCI is all like "oh we'll review our protocols" 
can't help but wonder if there's more to this story than we're being told 
.