BBL star Nikhil Chaudhary on trial for sexual assault in Queensland

Nikhil Chaudhary Hobart Hurricanes. (Photo Source: Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)

Hobart Hurricanes cricketer Nikhil Chaudhary is on trial after friends of a woman told the District Court in Townsville that she was sexually assaulted after a night out in May 2021. The prosecutors have stated that the woman was raped in Chaudhary’s car on Flinders Street, leaving her injured and bleeding. 

Meanwhile, the mother of the woman has confirmed the development and stated she went to sleep at 11:30 pm and for which, she missed a phone call from her daughter at 3.11 am, minutes after the supposed attack. However, she woke up at around 3:55 am and got in touch with her daughter. 

“I couldn’t hear much because she was crying, she sounded upset. I asked her why she was crying and she said she might be going to court. She told me she met this guy at the nightclub, they hung out for a bit and she mentioned she went out of the club with him and got into the car with him,” the mother said via the Townsville Bulletin.

For the moment, Chaudhary is pleading not guilty to one count of rape. Nicole Aitkins, a forensic examiner has told the court she cannot conclusively say that the cricketer caused the sexual incident. 

Also Read – Who’s Nikhil Chaudhary? – Everything you need to know about second Indian cricketer to feature in BBL

“You are not in a position to conclusively say what caused the abrasion you observed?” Defence barrister Claire Grant asked.

“No. With the history that was provided to me from (the woman), it’s a possible cause for the injury that was there that I’d seen,” Aitkins said.

On the other hand, constable Alexandra Smith opened up on the incident as she spoke to the woman after the incident took place nearly three years ago. She mentioned that the prosecutor wasn’t under the influence of alcohol and was walking and speaking fine.

“She didn’t appear under the influence,” the constable said.

“She was coherent and walking fine and speaking fine and didn’t appear to be affected by alcohol. She told me she had been inside a vehicle with a man and that the man sexually assaulted her,” Smith said. 

Also Read: Hobart Hurricanes sign hard-hitting all-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary for three more seasons