English cricket figure under police probe for alleged drink spiking, sexual assault
London (PTI): A prominent personality in English cricket is under police investigation over allegations of drink spiking and sexual assault involving two women.
According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, the man, said to be in his 40s, was interviewed under caution by Scotland Yard in June following a complaint linked to an incident at a pub in south-west London’s SW6 district, which includes Fulham and Parsons Green.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is yet to comment.
"We are currently investigating allegations of spiking and sexual assault against two women that took place on Thursday, 22 May at a pub in the SW6 area," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement.
"Two women are believed to have been spiked with one also allegedly sexually assaulted. A man in his 40s was interviewed under caution on Thursday, 5 June. Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage."
The case has emerged at a time when cricket’s authorities are under pressure to address misconduct in the game.
Chris Haward, managing director of the Cricket Regulator — the independent body tasked with handling disciplinary cases — stressed last month: "Removing sexual misconduct from the game is a priority."
In the past year, the Regulator has charged two coaches in unrelated incidents. One was suspended for up to nine months in August for sending "sexualised and inappropriate" photos to junior female staff members, while another faced a six-month suspension last November for "inappropriate sexual behaviour" during a county pre-season tour.
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BJP urges compensation, aid after eight Karnataka devotees killed in Andhra road accident
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP leaders on Thursday urged the state government to coordinate with authorities in Andhra Pradesh to ensure prompt treatment for the injured and to provide assistance, including adequate compensation, to the families of victims from Karnataka after a road accident in Kurnool district claimed at least eight lives.
Among those killed were five women, and 10 others were injured when a Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) collided with a tanker in Mantralayam in Kurnool district on Thursday, police said.
The accident occurred when devotees travelling to Mantralayam for the darshan of Sri Raghavendra Swamy were involved in the crash. The vehicle, carrying nearly 20 passengers, rammed into a tanker.
BJP leaders stated that some of the victims were from Chikkamagaluru district in Karnataka.
Taking to the social media platform ‘X’, Karnataka BJP leader B Y Vijayendra expressed deep shock over the accident.
He said that eight devotees from the state, who were on their way for darshan at the Mantralayam temple, had lost their lives, calling it extremely heartbreaking that devotees heading for divine darshan met such an untimely end.
“While conveying my deepest condolences to the families of those who have perished in this tragedy, I pray that the injured recover fully and regain their health as soon as possible,” he said.
“I urge the state government to immediately get in touch with the Andhra Pradesh government and take appropriate steps to ensure that the injured receive necessary treatment without delay. The state government must respond promptly on humanitarian grounds, including providing the required assistance,” Vijayendra added.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, also conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.
“I pray that the injured recover swiftly. The state government must immediately provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and take necessary steps to ensure the injured receive the required medical treatment,” he said in his post on ‘X’.
BJP MP and former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
“I urge the state government to immediately provide appropriate compensation to the families of the deceased and ensure the best medical treatment for the injured. May the departed souls attain eternal peace. I pray that their family members find the strength to bear this loss,” he added.
