Key Points:
- Two Australian cricketers participating in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 were stalked and inappropriately touched by a motorcyclist on October 23, 2025, near their hotel in Indore’s Khajrana Road area; the accused, 29-year-old Akil Khan (also known as Aqeel alias Naitra), a serial offender with prior criminal history, was arrested within 24 hours.
- MP Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya sparked nationwide controversy by stating the incident was “a lesson” for the players, suggesting they should have informed local authorities before venturing out due to their popularity, rather than condemning the security failure.
- Opposition leaders including Congress’s Arun Yadav and Shiv Sena’s Aaditya Thackeray slammed Vijayvargiya’s remarks as “disgusting, regressive, and victim-blaming,” highlighting the government’s failure to protect international guests in a country that values “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guest is God).
- Following the incident, security has been massively strengthened in Navi Mumbai with 600 personnel deployed for the remaining World Cup matches, including the India-Australia semifinal and final, with 24×7 patrols and mandatory player notification protocols.
- The BCCI condemned the incident as “deeply regrettable” and maintained a “zero-tolerance policy,” while Cricket Australia confirmed the matter was reported to police, with investigations ongoing under Sections 74 and 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
New Delhi: A shocking molestation incident involving two Australian women cricketers participating in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has sparked a nationwide controversy not just because of the crime itself, but due to the victim-blaming response from Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. Instead of addressing security failures, the minister suggested the players should have been “more cautious” and informed authorities before leaving their hotel, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties, women’s rights advocates, and cricket administrators across India.
The Indore Incident
The assault occurred on Thursday morning, October 23, 2025, along Khajrana Road in Indore when two Australian cricketers stepped out of their team hotel to visit a nearby café, approximately 500 meters away. According to Cricket Australia’s official statement, the players were “approached and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist” who had been following them. The accused, identified as 29-year-old Akil Khan (also known as Aqeel alias Naitra), allegedly rode up to them twice, first approaching them under the pretense of taking a photograph, then returning on his motorcycle to inappropriately touch one of the cricketers before fleeing the scene.
The players immediately contacted their team security officer, Danny Simmons, who coordinated with local security liaison officers and dispatched a vehicle to assist them. Assistant Commissioner of Police Himani Mishra promptly met with the two players, recorded their statements, and registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 74 (use of criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty) and Section 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the MIG police station.
Swift Arrest of Serial Offender
In a commendable display of police efficiency, Madhya Pradesh authorities arrested Akil Khan within 24 hours following an intensive six-hour operation on Friday, October 24, 2025. A crucial break in the case came when a bystander noted the suspect’s motorcycle registration number, enabling police to track him down through CCTV footage analysis and witness statements. According to police reports, Khan attempted to evade arrest by trying to jump into a sewage drain and sustained injuries during the apprehension.
Significantly, authorities revealed that Khan is a serial offender with multiple prior criminal cases registered against him, raising serious questions about the monitoring of known offenders in the city. Indore Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh confirmed that “multiple teams were deployed, and after extensive effort, the accused was traced and apprehended”.
Vijayvargiya’s Controversial Response
Rather than condemning the security lapse, Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya issued a statement on Sunday, October 26, 2025, that has been widely criticized as victim-blaming. “Players must keep in mind that when they leave their place, their security and local administration should be informed because there is a huge craze for cricketers (in India),” Vijayvargiya stated. He further described the incident as “a lesson” for the players themselves, suggesting they should have exercised greater caution.
To justify his position, Vijayvargiya cited an anecdote about football players, claiming, “I’ve personally seen football players’ clothes get torn due to the crowd. An English footballer was with me at the hotel when fans came. Someone asked for an autograph, a girl kissed him, and his clothes got torn”. While acknowledging the incident as a “shame for Indore and the country,” the minister’s emphasis on player responsibility rather than systemic security failures has intensified the backlash.
This is not Vijayvargiya’s first controversial statement regarding women. In June 2025, he sparked outrage by stating, “I don’t like women or girls who wear revealing clothes, to the point where I refuse to take photos with them”. Earlier in 2023, he compared women in “bad dresses” to Shurpanakha, a demoness from the Ramayana, drawing nationwide condemnation. In September 2025, he also made controversial comments about Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, stating: “Our opposition leaders kiss their young sisters at crossroads. This is foreign culture”.
Opposition and Public Backlash
The minister’s latest remarks have triggered fierce criticism from across the political spectrum. Congress leader and former Union Minister Arun Yadav termed Vijayvargiya’s statement as “disgusting and regressive,” declaring: “Kailash ji’s remark reflects a disturbing mindset; instead of ensuring women’s safety, the minister is blaming the victims. This incident exposes the state’s failure to protect guests in a country where ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (Guest is God) is our tradition.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray condemned the remarks as reflective of a “pathetic mentality in government,” adding: “What a shame! Obviously, the government will not act on him, but in a time when we bid for the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and when we invite investors too, to India, it is shameful to have such a pathetic mentality in the government. Is it a crime for a woman, be it from a cricket team or not, to walk on the streets of our cities?”.
Cricket Administration Response
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the incident as “deeply regrettable and isolated.” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized: “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. We will also review our existing safety protocols and strengthen them further, if necessary, to ensure such incidents are not repeated”.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told India Today: “It’s an unfortunate incident; such things should never happen. The accused has already been arrested. No amount of condemnation is enough for this incident. The police are conducting their investigation, and the BCCI will do whatever is required from our side”. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also condemned the “heinous incident,” expressing solidarity with the Australian team.
The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) stated it was “deeply pained and shocked” by the incident, emphasizing, “No woman should ever have to endure such trauma, and our thoughts and support are with those impacted by this distressing incident. This unfortunate event has deeply affected everyone from MPCA, who cherishes the values of respect, safety, and dignity of women”.
Enhanced Security Measures
In the aftermath of the Indore incident, security has been significantly strengthened in Navi Mumbai for the remaining Women’s World Cup 2025 matches, including the high-profile India vs. Australia semifinal on October 30, 2025, and the final on November 2, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium. A senior Maharashtra Police officer confirmed: “Since the very first day, that is, from October 18th, when practice started here, we have deployed guards at all the hotels where the women players are staying. Apart from that, whenever the team travels from the stadium to the hotel or vice versa, we provide them with an escort. Here at the ground, we have deployed around 600 personnel, out of which 75 are officers and the rest are police constables”.
Crucially, police have implemented mandatory notification protocols, requiring players to inform security personnel before leaving their hotels to ensure proper protection can be arranged. “After learning about the incident, actually, we were already taking precautions from the beginning, but sometimes what happens is that players go out without informing the police, and that creates a problem. If they inform us beforehand, we ensure their protection,” the senior officer explained.
International Implications
The incident has cast a shadow over India’s hosting of the prestigious ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 and raised concerns about the safety of international athletes and visitors. Cricket Australia’s statement confirmed that team security reported the matter to police, who are handling the investigation. The incident has drawn international media attention, with major outlets including Sky Sports and ESPN covering the story extensively.
As India positions itself to bid for major international sporting events, including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, the incident—and particularly the minister’s response threatens to damage the country’s reputation as a safe destination for international athletes and tourists. The controversy underscores persistent challenges regarding women’s safety in public spaces and the need for systemic reforms beyond individual prosecutions.
The ongoing investigation continues as authorities examine Khan’s criminal history and potential connections to other offenses, while the Women’s World Cup proceeds under heightened security protocols.
