Mumbai court asks police to further probe molestation claim against Prithvi Shaw

A Mumbai court has directed police to investigate allegations of molestation against Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw by a social media influencer. The court's order comes after the influencer, Sapna Gill, accused Shaw of molesting her at a suburban pub in Andheri. She alleged that police failed to register a case against the cricketer despite her complaint.

The incident dates back to February when Gill alleged that Shaw molested her during an argument at a pub. She subsequently approached the Andheri police, accusing Shaw of molestation and causing hurt with a dangerous weapon. However, police did not register an FIR, citing a lack of evidence after examining CCTV footage and taking statements from witnesses.

Dissatisfied with the police's inaction, Gill approached the metropolitan magistrate's court in Mumbai. The court has now ordered police to investigate Gill's complaint against the 24-year-old cricketer, who is playing for the Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL 2024. Metropolitan Magistrate S.C. Tayde has directed police to submit a report on their investigation by June 19.

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Sapna Gill had sought action against the police for not filing an FIR

While Gill maintains that Shaw molested her during the pub altercation, the cricketer has vehemently denied the allegations. Police have stated that CCTV footage showed Gill chasing Shaw's car with a baseball bat and breaking the vehicle's glass, but did not indicate any molestation. Witnesses have also reportedly confirmed the police's version of events.

Gill had initially sought action against the police for not filing an FIR based on her complaint. However, the court dismissed this plea while ordering a fresh investigation into her molestation claim against Shaw and his friend Ashish Yadav. The social media influencer had requested the FIR be registered under IPC sections 509 (Word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 354 (molestation), and 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means).

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Meanwhile, the Mumbai-born cricketer participating in the 17th edition of the cash-rich league was not included in DC's playing XI during the season opener against Punjab Kings (PBKS). He was brought back into the playing XI in the next game against Chennai Super Kings and scored 43 off 27 balls in Delhi's 20-run win. In his second game of the season against Kolkata Knight Riders, he could score just 10 runs as the Delhi-based franchise suffered their third loss of the season.