BCCI breaks silence on Australian women cricketers getting molested in Indore: ‘We maintain a zero-tolerance policy...’

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) broke its silence on two members of the Australian women's cricket team allegedly getting molested in Indore earlier this week, condemning the “unfortunate incident” that has brought “disrepute” to the country. The board also thanked the police force for promptly nabbing the culprit, who was allegedly following the two cricketers on a motorcycle and inappropriately touched them.

BCCI thanks MP state police for prompt action

“This is a deeply regrettable and isolated incident. India has always been known for its warmth, hospitality, and care towards all guests. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards such acts. We appreciate the swift and effective action taken by the Madhya Pradesh Police in apprehending the accused,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said in response to the incident, which has once again raised concerns over the safety of women in India.

“The law will take its due course to ensure justice is served. We will also review our existing safety protocols and strengthen them further, if necessary, to ensure such incidents are not repeated,” he added.

BCCI vice-president had also condemned the incident

“The entire incident is very unfortunate, and we condemn it. We will take all the required precautions. The Police have nabbed the accused,” board vice-president Rajiv Shukla told news agency Asian News International.

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The incident had allegedly taken place in the Khajrana Road area of Indore on Thursday, a day after Australia defeated England by six wickets in their ICC Women’s World Cup clash at the Holkar Stadium. The two players were walking towards a cafe from their hotel, the Radisson Blu, in the morning when the culprit, identified as Aqeel Khan, stalked them on a motorcycle before touching them inappropriately and fleeing the spot.

The cricketers, whose names have been withheld by the team management and police, promptly escalated the matter with an SOS notification to their security team with the Australian team’s security manager Danny Simmons filing a complaint at the MIG Police Station later in the evening.

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Assistant Commissioner of Police Himani Mishra later registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 74 and 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after meeting the players and recording their statements. The culprit was tracked down with the help of a bystander, who had noted the vehicle’s registration number, and is said to be a history-sheeter.

Australia later went ahead with their final group match of the World Cup against South Africa in the same city as scheduled, with leg-spinner Alana King’s remarkable figures of 7/18 helping Australia bowl South Africa out for 97 and setting up a dominant seven-wicket victory.