Who is Abishek Porel? IPL cricketer arrested over rape, assault allegations

Abishek Porel, the Bengal cricketer who plays for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been arrested in connection with a criminal case filed by a medical student.

Porel was arrested on Tuesday by police from the Mogra police station in Hooghly in West Bengal. The case was registered after the woman and her mother approached police with allegations including rape, sexual relations on the promise of marriage, assault and criminal intimidation.

The Calcutta High Court had earlier directed police to arrest the cricketer in connection with the case. Porel is expected to be produced before the Chinsurah court on Tuesday.

What are the allegations against Porel?

The woman, a medical student from Karnataka, lodged the complaint on June 23. She alleged that she and Porel had been in a relationship for around three years.

According to her complaint, differences developed between them last year and Porel allegedly began distancing himself from her. She claimed that he had promised to marry her but later refused to do so.

The woman also alleged that Porel had sexual relations with her on the promise of marriage. She accused him of assault, criminal intimidation and illegally confining her.

The complaint further alleged that she was denied food and kept isolated, leaving her physically weak and struggling to walk. She claimed that injuries forced her to seek medical treatment.

A police investigation was subsequently launched. The case includes several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, including Sections 69, 311, 318, 66 and 72.

Porel has denied the allegations in the past. The charges remain allegations at this stage and will be subject to the investigation and court proceedings.

Porel's cricket career

Porel is a left-handed top-order batter who has represented Delhi Capitals in the IPL since 2023. He scored 108 runs in four innings for the franchise last season.

He made his first-class debut for Bengal during the 2021-22 season and has represented the state in 32 first-class and 23 List A matches. He has also travelled with the India A team to the UK and Australia.