Bengal cricketer and Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel has been arrested by the West Bengal police in connection with a rape and criminal intimidation case.
The 23-year-old was apprehended late Monday night from Emami City in Dum Dum by the Mogra Police following a direct order from the Calcutta High Court.
Porel was produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Chinsurah on Tuesday, where his bail plea was rejected, and he was remanded to three days of police custody.
Why is Abishek Porel Arrested?
The arrest stems from a First Information Report (FIR) lodged on June 23 at the Mogra Police Station in Hooghly district by a third-year medical student from Karnataka. In her complaint, she alleged that Porel engaged in a sexual relationship with her under the false promise of marriage and subjected her to severe physical assault and criminal intimidation.
According to the complaint, the two met in January 2023 and were in a relationship for around three and a half years, with their families reportedly discussing marriage. However, the relationship soured when she allegedly discovered his involvement with other women.
The complainant detailed a specific incident on April 2, 2026, where she travelled to Delhi to meet him. She alleged that Porel unlawfully confined her, denied her food, and subjected her to severe physical abuse, which left her debilitated and requiring immediate medical attention.
Furthermore, she accused the cricketer of secretly recording their intimate moments without her consent and later using the private photographs and videos to blackmail and threaten her.
Following alleged police inaction, the complainant moved the Calcutta High Court. On July 14, Calcutta High Court ordered the Bengal Police to immediately apprehend Porel and seize his electronic devices to prevent the dissemination of the objectionable data and private photographs.
Police had previously seized a pen drive and sent it for forensic examination, but Porel remained untraceable for several weeks as officers visited his Chandannagar residence multiple times without success. Following the High Court’s stern directive, Hooghly (Rural) Superintendent of Police Kunwar Bhushan Singh coordinated with local authorities, leading to Porel’s arrest late Monday night.
What are the Allegations?
Police have registered the case under several provisions of the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 69 (which deals with sexual intercourse by deceitful means, including a false promise of marriage), alongside strict provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act.
Porel made headlines in 2023 when he was drafted into the Delhi Capitals squad as a replacement for Rishabh Pant. He had a breakout season in the 2024 IPL, scoring 327 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 159.51, leading the franchise to retain him for ₹4 crore for the 2025 season. He has also represented Bengal in 32 first-class matches and recently played for India A.