Abishek Porel, who has played for Bengal and in the IPL for Delhi Capitals, was arrested by police in Hooghly district following allegations that he had sexual relations with a woman on the promise of marriage, an official said on Tuesday.
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 is expected to be produced before the Chinsurah court on Tuesday itself.
"There was a case lodged against him and a court order to arrest him. He was arrested late last night. He will be produced in court today," Hooghly (Rural) Superintendent of Police Kunar Bhushan Singh told PTI.
On June 23, a medical student from Karnataka lodged a complaint against Abishek at the Mogra Police Station in Hooghly, alleging that the cricketer established a sexual relationship with her on the false promise of marriage and subsequently 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 visited 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 subsequently began an investigation into the allegations and visited Abishek’s house in Chandannagar several times, but could not find him.
{{/usCountry}}According to a report in Bengali media outlet Anandabazar Patrika, understanding the seriousness of the complaint, Hooghly (Rural) Superintendent of Police Kunwar Bhushan Singh visited 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 subsequently began an investigation into the allegations and visited Abishek’s house in Chandannagar several times, but could not find him.
{{/usCountry}}The woman alleged that she and Abishek had been in a three-year relationship and had even travelled abroad together. However, differences surfaced around one-and-a-half years ago, after which she alleged that the cricketer began distancing himself from her. She further alleged that Abishek had promised to marry her but was later unwilling to do so.
Abishek, who was in Bengaluru when the complaint was lodged, denied all the allegations. He told the publication, “I am playing well now, so such things are coming up.” He 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. Abishek added, “I will speak about this when the police investigate. I have still not spoken to the police.”
Reactions from Porel and his family are awaited.