Key Highlights
- Two Australian women cricketers inappropriately touched by motorcyclist in Indore on October 24, 2025
- Incident occurred on Khajrana Road while players walked from Radisson Blu Hotel to nearby cafe
- Players immediately sent SOS alert to security manager Danny Simmons who coordinated rescue response
- Police arrested accused Aqeel Khan within 24 hours based on eyewitness who noted motorcycle registration
- FIR registered under BNS Sections 74 (outraging modesty) and 78 (stalking) at MIG police station
- Aqeel Khan has multiple prior criminal cases registered against him, investigation ongoing
- Incident occurred day after Australia defeated England by 6 wickets at Holkar Stadium on October 22
- Cricket Australia confirmed incident and stated matter being handled by local police
- Australia currently top of Women’s World Cup points table heading into crucial South Africa match
Indore: In a shocking security breach that has raised serious questions about the safety of international athletes, two Australian women cricketers participating in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup were stalked and inappropriately touched by a motorcycle-borne man in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday morning, October 24, 2025. The incident occurred in the Khajrana Road area while the players were walking from their team hotel, the Radisson Blu, to a nearby cafe, just one day after Australia’s commanding six-wicket victory over England at Indore’s Holkar Stadium.
According to Sub-Inspector Nidhi Raghuvanshi, the two cricketers had stepped out of their hotel around 11 AM and were walking towards the cafe when a man on a motorcycle, wearing a white shirt and a black cap but no helmet, started following them. The accused first attempted to grab one of the players and rode off, but then circled back and inappropriately touched the other cricketer before fleeing the scene.
Swift Response from Security Team and Local Bystander
Shocked and alarmed by the brazen attack, the duo immediately contacted their team security officer, Danny Simmons, through their security devices and shared their live location. Simmons swiftly coordinated with local security liaison officers and dispatched a vehicle to assist the players. Meanwhile, a vigilant resident who witnessed the incident came to the cricketers’ rescue and crucially noted the registration number of the motorcycle, immediately alerting police about the assault.
By the time Simmons arrived at the scene with the security vehicle, the helpful bystander had already provided critical information that would prove instrumental in tracking down the accused. This prompt action by both the Australian security team and the local Good Samaritan enabled police to move quickly on the case.
Police Swift Action Leads to Arrest Within 24 Hours
Acting on the complaint filed by Danny Simmons at the MIG police station on Thursday evening, Indore Police registered a First Information Report under Section 74 (use of criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty) and Section 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Assistant Commissioner of Police Himani Mishra personally met with the two players, recorded their detailed statements, and launched an immediate investigation.
Using CCTV footage from the area and the motorcycle registration number provided by the eyewitness, police tracked down and arrested the accused, identified as Aqeel Khan (also referred to as Akil Khan in some reports), a resident of the Khajrana area, by Friday evening, less than 24 hours after the incident. Additional DCP (Crime) Rajesh Dandotiya confirmed that Khan was apprehended with the help of CCTV grabs and other evidence.
“Khan has prior criminal cases registered against him, and an investigation is ongoing,” stated Sub-Inspector Nidhi Raghuvanshi, revealing that the accused is a repeat offender. Police are now investigating whether this was a premeditated attack targeting the international athletes or an opportunistic crime.
Cricket Australia Confirms Incident, Cooperates with Investigation
Cricket Australia issued an official statement confirming the disturbing incident and stated that the matter was being handled by local authorities. “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 statement read. “The matter was reported by team security to police, who are handling the matter”.
The Australian team management has expressed full cooperation with the local administration and police in pursuing the case. The incident has not been allowed to disrupt Australia’s World Cup campaign, as the team prepares for their crucial final league match against South Africa on Saturday.
Incident Tarnishes Indore’s Hospitality Image
The molestation incident has brought significant embarrassment to Indore and raised serious concerns about security arrangements for international sporting events in India. Despite special security protocols being implemented for the Australian team and other participating nations during the Women’s World Cup, this brazen attack exposed critical vulnerabilities in the protection system.
Residents, cricket fans, and women’s safety advocates have expressed outrage over the incident, demanding that no laxity be shown in ensuring the safety of foreign guests and that such shameful incidents must never be repeated. The attack has particularly stung given that it occurred in broad daylight on a busy road, with the players simply attempting to walk a short distance from their hotel.
World Cup Stakes Remain High for Australia
Despite the traumatic incident, Australia remains focused on its World Cup campaign. The defending champions currently sit atop the points table heading into their final league match against South Africa at Holkar Stadium on Saturday. A victory would secure Australia’s position at the top of the table, setting up a semi-final clash against India in Navi Mumbai on October 30, while South Africa would travel to Guwahati to face England on October 29.
If Australia loses to South Africa, they would finish second and play England in the first semi-final, while South Africa would top the table and face India in the second semi-final. The team has demonstrated remarkable professionalism in maintaining focus on their cricket despite the distressing off-field incident.
Calls for Enhanced Security Measures
Police officials have stated that strict action will be taken against the accused and that security protocols will be strengthened to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The incident has prompted urgent discussions about enhancing security arrangements not just for the remainder of the Women’s World Cup but for all future international sporting events hosted in India.
The swift arrest and the cooperation between the Australian team security and local police have been praised, but questions remain about how the incident was allowed to happen in the first place when special security measures were supposedly in place for the visiting teams.
