Porel, who has denied the allegations, was arrested following a Calcutta High Court direction. Police are investigating the complaint, and the allegations have not been established in court.
BY PC Bureau
Bengal cricketer and Delhi Capitals player Abishek Porel has been arrested in connection with a complaint by a medical student alleging rape, criminal intimidation and other offences, police said.
Porel was taken into custody from Emami City under the Dum Dum police station area following directions from the Calcutta High Court. Hooghly Rural Superintendent of Police Kunwar Bhushan Singh confirmed the arrest.
The case stems from a complaint filed by the woman with police in June. According to her complaint, she and Porel had been in a relationship for around three years.
She alleged that the relationship deteriorated last year, after which Porel began distancing himself from her. The woman further alleged that he had sexual relations with her after assuring her that he would marry her, but later refused to marry her.
The complaint also contains allegations of physical assault and criminal intimidation. Police have registered a case and are investigating the allegations.
Porel has previously denied the accusations.
The arrest follows intervention by the Calcutta High Court, which directed the police to take action in the matter. The circumstances leading to the court’s direction and the precise terms of the order will form part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
As the investigation continues, the allegations remain unproven and Porel is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless a court establishes his guilt.
READ: Trump Hid in Catering Truck for Secret Flight Out of Turkey
Who is Abishek Porel?
Porel, a left-handed top-order batter and wicketkeeper, has emerged as one of Bengal’s promising young cricketers. He has represented the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League since 2023.
During the previous IPL season, he scored 108 runs in four innings, continuing his development at the highest level of domestic franchise cricket.
Porel made his first-class debut for Bengal during the 2021-22 season and has since established himself in the domestic circuit. He has played 32 first-class matches and 23 List A games.
His performances have also earned him opportunities at the India A level. He has been part of India A tours to both the United Kingdom and Australia, giving him exposure to international-level cricket and strengthening his credentials as a player being monitored for higher honours.
His arrest now places his cricketing career in the shadow of the criminal case.
What happens next?
The police investigation is expected to focus on the allegations made in the complaint, including the circumstances surrounding the alleged relationship, the complainant’s claims regarding a promise of marriage, and the accusations of assault and intimidation.
Investigators may examine communications, financial or travel records, digital evidence and statements from people who may have knowledge of the relationship, depending on the evidence available to them.
The next stages of the case will depend on the investigation and subsequent court proceedings. An arrest itself does not establish guilt, and the prosecution will ultimately have to prove its allegations before a court.
The case also highlights the legal complexities surrounding disputes arising from relationships in which one party alleges that sexual relations occurred after a promise of marriage that was later withdrawn. Indian courts have repeatedly distinguished between a genuine promise to marry that was allegedly false from the beginning and a consensual relationship in which a marriage promise was subsequently not fulfilled. The facts and evidence in each case are therefore crucial.
For now, police have confirmed that the complaint remains under investigation, while Porel’s legal defence is expected to contest the allegations through the judicial process.
