Delhi Capitals cricketer Abishek Porel arrested over rape allegation, woman claims he promised to marry her

A case has been registered against Abishek Porel under multiple sections of the BNS and IT Act, including Sections 69, 311, 318, 66 and 72.

Abishek Porel, who has played for Bengal and in the IPL for Delhi Capitals, was arrested after being accused of having sexual relations with and raping a woman after promising to marry her. He was arrested by the Mogra police station on Tuesday.

Delhi Capitals player Abhishek Porel (AFP)

A case has been registered against Abishek under multiple sections of the BNS and IT Act, including Sections 69, 311, 318, 66 and 72. He will be produced before the Chinsurah court on Tuesday itself.

On June 23, a medical student from Karnataka had lodged a complaint against Abishek at the Mogra Police Station in Hooghly, alleging that the cricketer engaged in a sexual relationship under the false promise of marriage, and subjected her to assault and criminal intimidation. The complaint was filed by the woman and her mother.

According to a report in Bengali media outlet Anandabazar Patrika, understanding the seriousness of the complaint, Hooghly (Rural) Superintendent of Police Kunwar Bhushan Singh rushed to the Mogra police station. He discussed the course of action with the officer-in-charge, Soumen Biswas, and DSP (Crime) Abhijit Singh Mahapatra. Police sources said he also issued necessary instructions in connection with the case. Police began an investigation into the allegations. The police went to Abhishek’s house in Chandannagar several times, but he could not be found.

The woman had alleged that she and Abishek had been in a three-year relationship and had even travelled abroad. However, differences surfaced about one and a half years ago, after which the latter began "distancing" himself from her. She even alleged that Abishek had promised to marry her but is now unwilling to do so.

Abishek, who was in Benglauru at the time when the complaint was lodged, denied all allegations. He told the publication “I am playing well now, so such things are coming up.” He had also said, “The IPL has just ended. I am now busy with my family.” He said that the police had not contacted him about the matter at that point. Abhishek had said, “I will speak about this when the police investigate. I have still not spoken to the police.”

The cricketer, who had in the past travelled with the India A team to the UK and Australia, was arrested by the police after returning home.

More to follow...