Authorities in Indore on Sunday announced the arrest of a man accused of molesting and stalking two Australian women cricketers, describing the operation as a “strategic and intensive” six-hour effort involving multiple police teams. The suspect, identified as Aqeel Sheikh, a resident of Azadnagar, was apprehended by officers from the MIG Police Station and has since been remanded to police custody for two days.

According to officials, Sheikh has a prior criminal record and is listed as a “history-sheeter,” indicating previous entries in police crime records. He was produced before a local court on Saturday and will remain under interrogation as police continue to gather evidence and assess possible lapses in security arrangements for the visiting team.

The Incident

The alleged incident occurred around 11 a.m. on October 23, when two members of the Australian women’s cricket team left their team hotel in Indore to visit a nearby café before their scheduled match against South Africa. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused allegedly approached the players and inappropriately touched one of them in public.

The cricketers immediately alerted their team’s security officer, Danny Simmons, who reported the matter to the MIG Police Station. Acting on the complaint, the police registered an FIR under Sections 74 (inappropriate behaviour) and 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—the new criminal code that replaced sections of the Indian Penal Code earlier this year.

Swift Police Response

Describing the police operation, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Rajesh Dandotiya told reporters that multiple teams were deployed to trace the accused using CCTV footage and local intelligence inputs.

“With the intensive strategic operation of six hours, we arrested the accused named Aqeel Sheikh, who has a criminal background. He was produced before the court yesterday, and we are interrogating him,” Dandotiya said.

He added that Sheikh had previously been involved in other minor offences in the city and was already on the police’s radar. After completing his two-day police remand, authorities plan to seek judicial custody to continue the investigation and gather further corroborative evidence.

MIG Police Station in-charge CB Singh confirmed Sheikh’s background and the sections applied in the FIR. “The Australian team management security in-charge reported the incident, after which we registered a case under BNS 74 and BNS 78. The accused has been arrested and is being questioned,” Singh said.

Police are also examining whether any security lapses occurred during the Australian team’s movement between the hotel and the café. “We are looking into possible shortfalls in coordination between the police and the team’s security detail,” Singh added.

The Broader Fallout

The incident has sparked outrage within sporting circles and drawn sharp political reactions. The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have both condemned the act and called for stricter measures to ensure the safety of visiting players.

In a statement, the MPCA termed the incident “unfortunate and deeply embarrassing” and said it had sought a detailed report from the local police. “We are fully cooperating with authorities and will assist in reviewing and strengthening security protocols for all international players,” an MPCA official said.

Political Reactions

The case quickly escalated into a political controversy, with opposition parties accusing the state government of failing to ensure women’s safety, especially in high-profile events involving international visitors.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her anger. “Disgraceful. We boast about economic growth, but we continue to fail at providing safe spaces for women. What a shameful act,” she wrote.

Congress’s Madhya Pradesh unit president, Jitendra Patwari, also condemned the incident, saying, “A deranged individual inappropriately touched an Australian cricketer. Such acts tarnish India’s image internationally. The government must ensure that security systems are tightened immediately.”

Next Steps in the Investigation

Police officials have confirmed that they are now cross-checking CCTV footage from multiple locations along the route taken by the players to establish a clear timeline of events. The accused’s mobile phone and other personal devices have been seized and will undergo forensic examination to determine whether he followed or contacted the victims in the days preceding the incident.

“We are not ruling out the possibility that the accused may have been following the players for some time,” a senior officer involved in the case said. “His digital footprint will help us verify whether this was a spontaneous act or premeditated stalking.”

Authorities are also coordinating with Australian team officials to ensure that the victims receive full support and that the investigation proceeds transparently. The Australian Cricket Board has reportedly sought updates from the BCCI and local law enforcement agencies.

Wider Concerns About Women’s Safety

The incident has reignited debate about women’s safety in India, particularly in states that host major international sporting events. Women’s rights advocates have called for stricter enforcement of anti-harassment laws and better surveillance mechanisms around hotels and event venues.

“This case highlights how even high-profile foreign athletes are not immune to harassment,” said a women’s rights activist based in Bhopal. “It’s a wake-up call for the authorities to reassess how seriously they treat women’s safety in public spaces.”

A Criminal History and Pattern of Behaviour

Investigators revealed that Aqeel Sheikh had a criminal record involving minor offences, including intimidation and public nuisance. While he had not previously been booked for sexual harassment, police described him as a “repeat offender known to law enforcement.”

“We have a file on him,” said an officer from the Indore Crime Branch. “He has been in trouble several times for unruly behaviour and has a pattern of intimidating people, especially women.”

Conclusion

As the accused remains in police custody and interrogation continues, authorities have promised a thorough and transparent investigation. The Madhya Pradesh government has also asked for a report on whether security arrangements for the Australian team were adequate and if police patrols in the area need to be intensified.

The case has once again drawn international attention to India’s ongoing struggle with gender-based crimes, with observers warning that such incidents risk tarnishing the country’s reputation as a safe destination for international sporting events.

For now, police say their focus is on building a watertight case against Aqeel Sheikh, ensuring that justice is served swiftly. “We will take this case to its logical conclusion,” Dandotiya said. “No one—Indian or foreign—should feel unsafe on our streets.”