Software engineer arrested over threats to rape Virat Kohli’s toddler

MUMBAI − Indian police arrested a software engineer yesterday for allegedly threatening to rape the infant daughter of cricketer Virat Kohli following India’s defeat to arch-rival Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.

Indian cricketers have faced a barrage of online hate and threats after crashing out of the Twenty20 international tournament.

Police said investigators from the Mumbai Police Cyber Cell arrested Akubathini Ramnagesh after his tweet targeting the cricketer’s 10-month-old daughter went viral.

The 23-year-old suspect is facing charges of sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, defamation and publishing obscene material. 

“He has been detained and is being brought to Mumbai,” a police officer told AFP.

Virat is married to Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma and the couple welcomed their first child in January.

Ramnagesh is alleged to have issued the threats from his Twitter account following India’s first-ever World Cup defeat to Pakistan in the opening game of the tournament on October 24.

The humiliating, 10-wicket loss prompted trolling of the Indian team, including the side’s only Muslim player, Mohammed Shami, who was subjected to a storm of social media abuse. 

Several former cricketers and Mohammed’s teammates, including Virat, denounced the hateful outpouring against the bowler. – AFP, November 11, 2021