The 29-year-old man, who has been arrested for allegedly stalking and molesting two Australian women cricketers in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, is a habitual offender with a long criminal history, according to police.
The accused, identified as Aqeel Khan, alias Nitra, is a resident of Khajarana, but now he lives in Azad Nagar, said Additional DCP Crime Branch, Rajesh Dandotiya.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Himani Mishra, who had met the two players to record their statements, was quoted by News18 as saying: “Khan has prior criminal cases registered against him, and an investigation is on in the case."
The accused has at least 10 criminal cases registered against him, and the charges include molestation, robbery, assault, and attempted murder, according to a report by NDTV. He was recently released from Bhairavgarh jail after a 10-year jail term. Some of the cases against Khan date back to 2012.
Besides the Indian Penal Code (IPC), he has been charged under the Arms Act and the anti-drugs law, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), in several cases. Khan worked as a painter, and his parents are labourers.
What happened in Indore?
Two Australian women cricketers, taking part in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, were allegedly stalked, and one of them was molested by a motorcycle-borne man in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, police said on Saturday.
Sub-Inspector Nidhi Raghuvanshi said that the two cricketers had stepped out of their hotel and were walking towards a café when a man on a motorcycle started following them.
He allegedly touched one of them inappropriately and rode off, she said. The duo contacted their team security officer, Danny Simmons, who coordinated with local security liaison officers and dispatched a vehicle for assistance. The official said that a bystander noted the suspect's motorcycle number, based on which the accused, Aqeel, was apprehended.
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