Abhishek Porel represents Delhi Capitals in the IPL | PC: AFP
In a major development, 23-year-old Indian cricketer Abhishek Porel has been arrested in West Bengal’s Hooghly district in connection with rape allegations.
The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter has been a consistent performer for Bengal and has been part of the Delhi Capitals squad in the IPL since the 2023 season.
Earlier in June, a dental student lodged a complaint against the cricketer, alleging that he engaged in a sexual relationship under the false promise of marriage and subjected her to assault and criminal intimidation.
Although Porel had publicly denied the accusations, the Dum Dum police station, acting under the Calcutta High Court’s directive, arrested the cricketer.
Why was Abhishek Porel arrested?
On Tuesday, Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya of the Calcutta High Court directed police officials to continue efforts to trace and arrest Abhishek Porel.
According to the police, he has been arrested under Sections 64(1), 66, 69, 74, 75(2), 79, 115(2), 117(2), 124(1), 127(2), 109, 308(2), 351(2), 351(3), 316(2), 318(3), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 66E and 72 of the Information Technology Act.
The case first came into the limelight in June this year. It was fast-tracked in July when the court directed police to seize all electronic devices belonging to the accused. The next hearing was scheduled for August 11.
Following the court’s directions, the police arrested the cricketer.
Will Abhishek Porel play in IPL 2027?
Abhishek Porel has been with Delhi Capitals from IPL 2023 through the recently concluded season. His future with the franchise and in the IPL is now under serious question after the arrest in this case.
The BCCI and IPL governing body follow strict protocols. Players facing serious criminal charges can be suspended from the league. If the charges against Porel are not dropped or resolved in his favour in the near future, his chances of featuring in IPL 2027 appear slim.
For context, during the IPL 2026 season, RCB’s Yash Dayal faced serious allegations that led the franchise to drop him from their squad for the season. However, no criminal charges were formally filed against Dayal at the time, and he was not banned from the IPL.
Other cricketers involved in sexual assault cases
Abhishek Porel and Yash Dayal are among the recent names linked to such cases. In the past, several other cricketers have also faced similar allegations or convictions:
- Sri Lanka’s Danushka Gunathilaka was arrested in Australia in 2022 on sexual assault charges.
- South Africa’s Makhaya Ntini and England’s Alex Hepburn were convicted in separate cases.
- Nepal’s then-captain Sandeep Lamichhane faced rape allegations but was later acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Note: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
