Delhi Capitals batsman Abhishek Porel arrested in rape and criminal intimidation case
Delhi Capitals batter Abhishek Porel was arrested on Monday in Hooghly district, West Bengal, in connection with allegations of rape and criminal intimidation, Hooghly Rural police SP Kumar Bhushan Singh said; police took him into custody from Emami City under the Dum Dum police station.
An FIR was registered at Magra Police Station after a medical student lodged a complaint in June. The 23-year-old, who represents Bengal in domestic cricket, made his Indian Premier League debut for Delhi Capitals in 2023 and has remained with the franchise since; he has played 35 IPL matches for DC, scoring 769 runs at 25.63 with a strike rate of 145.36.
The complainant, described in reports as a medical student, lodged the FIR in June alleging a physical relationship in the name of marriage; the FIR states they had been in a relationship for three and a half years, while the initial report of the FIR described the relationship as lasting three years. The FIR alleges that, in the last year, Porel began to distance himself from the complainant.
The FIR includes the following passage: "Abishek Porel illegally confined the complainant. He denied her food and deliberately kept her isolated. As a result… the complainant became physically weak and was unable to walk properly. Despite having a flight… she was compelled to seek immediate medical attention due to the injuries sustained." The woman also stated that Porel had a sexual relationship with her in the name of marriage and intimidated her.
According to police, officers searched for Porel at his home in Chandannagar but he was not present; he was subsequently located and taken into custody in Hooghly on Monday night, questioned by police and later sent for a medical test. Hooghly Rural police SP Kumar Bhushan Singh confirmed the arrest to authorities.
Porel has denied the allegations and termed the matter "a conspiracy to defame him and damage his reputation."
The Calcutta High Court announced the arrest late on Monday.
