Indian athlete in US is charged with sexually assaulting 12-year-old girl

Tanveer Hussain had been in the news after initially being denied a visa to participate in the World Snowshoe Championships in New York.

Indian athlete Tanveer Hussain, who was earlier in the news over a US visa denial case, has been arrested in Saranac Lake in the United States on charges of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl, Adirondack Daily Enterprise reported on Thursday. His colleague Abid Khan told the daily that Hussain said he was innocent.

Hussain was in the country to participate in the 2017 World Snowshoe Championships in New York held on February 24 and 25. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Sunday. Hussain was scheduled to leave the country on Friday, the daily reported.

A statement released by the local police



said Hussain was charged with “engaging in a passionate kiss” with a 12-year-old girl and touching her inappropriately, North Country Public Radio reported. “There was no accusation of force. The charges are a result of the age differences of the individuals. There were no other allegations made against Hussain,” the statement said.

Police Seargent Casey Reardon told the daily that the girl and her parents had filed a case against the athlete, who was apprehended while walking down Bloomingdale Avenue. “He came with us willingly and has been cooperative since,” Reardon told the daily. Hussain’s lawyer said “Not only is he innocent, he is presumed innocent by law. That’s how he should be seen in the community and by anyone paying attention in this case.”