The South Africa team that briefly toured India earlier this month, for the subsequently-cancelled ODI series, was reportedly put up in the same hotel as an Indian singer, Kanika Kapoor, who later tested positive for Covid-19.
According to The Times of India, the Bollywood singer was put up in the same hotel in Lucknow as South Africa, who were in the city to play the second game of the series. Kapoor’s stay from March 11 coincided with South Africa’s, with the team arriving on March 13.
The singer had just returned from the UK, and according to reports, she was quite social during her stay. “There are reports that she dined in the hotel’s buffet, and also attended several guests in the lobby,” the report quoted an official as saying.
The 1st ODI between India and South Africa has been abandoned due to rains.#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Oc5iO6q9dj
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 12, 2020
“She was living there at a time when the South African team was staying in the hotel for the ODI match, which eventually was called off. There is information that Kanika [Kapoor] was seen briefly attending a news channel’s annual conclave held at the hotel.
“Therefore, it is important to scan the CCTV footage and list those who came in contact with her.”
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A sizeable task force has been put in place to identify those who possibly came in contact with the singer. A First Investigation Report has been filed against Kapoor for negligence under the Indian Penal Code.
Quinton de Kock’s team arrived in Delhi on March 9 for the series, travelling to Dharamsala, Lucknow and finally Kolkata, from where they departed for Dubai on March 17. The first match was rained off, while the rest of the games were cancelled following growing concerns around the intensifying Covid-19 outbreak.