Two Indian nationals have been arrested in Harare after being accused of rape, but reports that they are members of the Indian cricket team are incorrect, officials in Zimbabwe confirmed on Sunday.
An article in a Zimbabwean publication claimed that an Indian player involved in the ongoing cricket tour to Zimbabwe had been picked up by police following an allegation made by a Zimbabwean woman.
However security officials looking after the team said that none of the players had been involved, which was confirmed by a Zimbabwean police spokesperson and the Indian Foreign Office.
“None of the players were involved in the matter,” a security official assisting the Indian team told AFP.
The misleading reports appear to have stemmed from the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s lack of familiarity with the Indian team.
One of the two men arrested was part of an Indian company that is contracted by Zimbabwe Cricket to engage with sponsors during incoming tours, and was in the country for the current series.
The two men appeared in court on Friday and were held in custody over the weekend. They are expected to apply for bail in the High Court on Monday.
A young and inexperienced Indian side whitewashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in a one-day series, but were shocked by two runs in the first Twenty20 international on Saturday.
The final two Twenty20 games of the tour will take place on Monday and Wednesday.An Indian cricket contingent member has been arrested in Zimbabwe on charges of allegedly raping a local woman, New Zimbabwe reported on Sunday.
Assistant commissioner of Harare police, Charity Charamba, confirmed the incident. “There are allegations of rape against an Indian national by a Zimbabwean woman,” said Charamba.
“We have investigated and forwarded the case to the courts for determination and now we are waiting for the outcome. All I can confirm is that the accused appeared in court on Saturday.”
The incident allegedly took place at Meikles hotel in Harare where the Indian national team is currently staying on their tour of Zimbabwe.
It is also reported that the victim might have been drugged before being abused by her attacker.
Earlier, it was reported that an Indian cricketer had been arrested. However, according to ANI, no member of the Indian cricket team had been arrested, rather, the individual arrested was affiliated with one of the sponsors for the visiting team.
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