Indian rape-accused in Zimbabwe was part of 3rd ODI post-match ceremony

Indian national Krishna Satyanarayana Gandlur who has been accused of raping a Harare woman has been confirmed as being present in the post-match ceremony after the third India-Zimbabwe ODI. Photos revealed that Jasprit Bumrah received the player of the match cheque from Satyanarayana, who is linked with ITW Sports. The other accused, Ravi Krishnan, is an Indian businessman based in Zambia. Both have been arrested on charges of rape.

The accused were reported to have stayed at the Meikles Hotel where the alleged incident took place. Harare Assistant Police Commissioner, Charity Charamba had declined to confirm whether it’s a player or official.

Indian officials had initially refused to comment on the issue and later clarified after talking to the Zimbabwean Ambassador that the accused were not Indian cricketers. Satyanarayana and Ravi Krishnan were both remanded in custody and produced for their bail hearing on Tuesday.

The case was referred to Harare magistrate Elijah Makomo. The duo were represented by defence attorney Dumisani Mthombeni while Prosecutor Peter Kachirika stated that the victim had been also staying at the same hotel and she had been invited to Satyanarayana’s room where the incident occurred.

Earlier it had been reported that the woman did not seem to have any recollection of how she got there. It came out in court that she initially resisted when Satyanarayana tried to kiss her but having gotten her drunk the accused duo went on to forcibly sodomise the 28-year-old woman.

The court also heard that the woman woke up the following morning on bloodstained sheets with an aching back and wearing only her bra. (A local Zimbabwen paper mentions however that the woman woke up in her room).

Charity Charamba, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed that they were arrested on charges of rape, after complaints from the victim and hotel manager. Krishna Satyanarayan and Rajkumar Krishnan have been denied bail. Their plea for bail will next be heard in the High Court.

This controversial rape case has clouded the triumphant mood of the Indian touring contingent and also reflects negatively on India- Zimbabwe cricketing ties. The Indian cricket team, the BCCI and the Ministry of External Affairs have all been visibly rattled by the controversy.

The final T20I takes place later today. The series is level at 1-1.