- Athletes must alert security before leaving venues, minister says.
- Two Australian cricketers reported harassment near the hotel.
- Police arrested the 29-year-old suspect within hours.
Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has framed the alleged sexual abuse of two Australian female cricketers last week in Indore as a “lesson” in precautions for players, urging athletes to alert security or local authorities before to leave the team headquarters.
Vijayvargiya said star athletes often underestimate the crowd’s frenzy and should take it into account in their moves. “Sometimes players don’t realize their popularity… they have to be careful. This incident has happened; it’s a lesson for everyone,” he said, adding that teams should inform security or management “before they leave.”
He reiterated to local media that although there was a security failure, the players also share the responsibility of coordinating movements.
Two members of Australia’s women’s cricket team were allegedly harassed and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist while walking to a cafe in the central Indian city of Indore on Thursday morning, prompting a swift police operation and an arrest within hours, officials and local media said. The players reported the incident to team security, who presented a first informative report.
Police said the man approached the players near the Indore bypass, about 500 meters from the team hotel, and far from the Holkar Stadium, where Australia played its Women’s World Cup matches.
A suspect with a criminal record was arrested approximately six hours after the report; Authorities said he faces charges under India’s new penal code for sexual abuse and harassment.
Cricket Australia and Indian cricket authorities condemned the incident. The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, which oversees the venue in Indore, apologized and called the episode a stain on the city’s reputation for hospitality. Indian board officials said they would review and strengthen event security protocols around players in coordination with police.
International media, including AP and ReutersHe said the suspect was located through local surveillance and arrested the same day.
Australia remained in Indore for successive World Cup matches against England and South Africa. The incident has renewed debate over off-field safety for female athletes on the tour, with both national boards indicating additional measures could be taken for the remainder of the tournament.
