Cricketer Abhishek Porel Arrested In Alleged Rape Case; Sent To 3-Day Police Custody
Bengal cricketer and Delhi Capitals player Abhishek Porel was arrested in West Bengal in a case involving allegations of sexual relations on a promise of marriage
Calcutta High Court had earlier directed police to apprehend the Delhi Capitals player and seize his electronic devices amid allegations by a medical student of sexual assault, threats and misuse of her private photographs
Bengal cricketer and Delhi Capitals player Abhishek Porel was last night arrested in Hooghly, West Bengal, in connection with a criminal case arising from allegations by a medical student that he established a physical relationship with her on the promise of marriage. A Court in West Bengal today remanded Porel to three days of police custody.
Porel was arrested by Mogra Police after the Calcutta High Court last month directed the police to trace and apprehend him in connection with the case.
The case was registered as Mogra Police Station FIR No. 346 of 2026. The FIR invokes multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), including Section 69, along with provisions of the Information Technology Act. The case also includes allegations attracting provisions relating to rape, criminal intimidation and other offences.
According to the complaint, the woman, a medical student from Karnataka, had been in a relationship with Porel for several years and alleged that he had assured her that they would marry. She approached the police in June 2026, following which the criminal case was registered and an investigation commenced.
The allegations, however, extend beyond the alleged sexual relationship. The complainant has also alleged that Porel subjected her to physical and mental abuse, threatened her and was in possession of private photographs and videos concerning her.
The matter had subsequently reached the Calcutta High Court after the complainant filed a petition alleging that the investigation was not progressing effectively and raised concerns regarding the alleged handling of her private photographs and videos.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, in an order passed in July, directed the police to urgently apprehend Porel and another accused. The Court also directed the investigating agency to seize their electronic devices, including mobile phones and laptops, to prevent the alleged dissemination of private material concerning the complainant.
The Court's directions came after it was informed that, despite the registration of the criminal case, the accused had not yet been apprehended. The Court was also told that electronic evidence was relevant to the investigation and that there was apprehension that private material could be circulated.
The investigating agency had already seized a pen drive and sent it for forensic examination, according to the material placed before the High Court.
The High Court subsequently required the police to place on record details of the steps taken pursuant to its directions. The matter was listed for further proceedings today, but last night, he was apprehended.
The case assumes particular legal significance because the FIR includes Section 69 of the BNS, which creates a specific offence where sexual intercourse is obtained by deceitful means, including a promise to marry made without an intention to fulfil it, and expressly provides that the offence is one "not amounting to rape".
Porel has denied the allegations against him. He had earlier indicated that he would respond to the allegations after the police investigation.
Porel is a wicketkeeper-batter who represents Bengal in domestic cricket and has played for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League.
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