IPL molestation case: Police says probe almost complete

Investigations into the molestation of an American woman allegedly by an Australian cricketer are "almost complete" and a charge sheet will be filed in the court "very soon", police said on Tuesday.

Luke Pomersbach was arrested on last Friday after Zohal Hamid alleged that he molested her and hit her fiance Sahil Peerzada when he objected to the cricketer's behaviour. The cricketer was arrested and a court granted him bail later.

Police have already recorded the statements of the victim Zohal Hamid, her fiance Sahil Peerzada who was punched during the brawl, his friend Miraj, cricketer K P Appanna and Royal Challengers Manager Avinash Vaidya.

A senior police official said the investigation into the sensational case is "almost complete" and investigators are likely to file a charge sheet "very soon in seven-eight days".

The official said the accused and the victims are foreigners. The movement of the accused is restricted till the case is disposed of and so it is better that the case is heard fast, he said.

The official also said Pomesbach may be questioned again if needed.

Police is also planning to record the statement of some more Royal Challengers members like its coach Ray Jennings and its party coordinator.

Police sources said that the name of Appanna cropped up in the case after he was identified in a CCTV footage. He was seen accompanying Pomersbach to the room of the victim.

Police sources said the 23-year-old left-arm spinner denied that he tried to force into the room of Hamid and Peerzada as alleged. He also denied the allegations that he threatened Hamid to withdraw the case against Pomersbach, they said.