'Can't be fooled for 5 years': Allahabad HC on cricketer Yash Dayal’s arrest stay
Allahabad: The Allahabad High Court has granted an interim stay on the arrest of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) cricketer Yash Dayal, who is facing serious allegations in a sexual exploitation case. The ruling provides a temporary reprieve for Dayal while the court considers the complexities of the five-year relationship at the heart of the dispute.
The case originated from a complaint by a woman who alleges that Dayal sexually exploited her under the false promise of marriage over a period of approximately five years. According to the FIR, registered on July 6, 2025, at the Indirapuram police station in Ghaziabad under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the woman claims she met Dayal through social media in 2019. She alleges that Dayal maintained a physical relationship with her based on repeated promises of marriage, even introducing her to his family, who reportedly welcomed her as a "daughter-in-law," thereby solidifying her trust.
The complainant further asserts that Dayal continuously postponed their marriage plans. She later discovered he was allegedly involved with other women and claims to have suffered emotional, mental, physical, and financial exploitation during their relationship. Prior to lodging the FIR, the woman had sought assistance from the Women's Helpline 181 on June 14, 2025, and subsequently filed a grievance with the Chief Minister's online portal (IGRS) on June 21, 2025. She has reportedly submitted screenshots, chats, and video call records as evidence to support her claims.
In response to the allegations, Yash Dayal has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. His legal team argued before the High Court that the FIR was lodged with an "oblique motive" for extortion, particularly after his recent selection to the Indian Cricket team. Dayal has also filed a counter-complaint with the Prayagraj police, accusing the woman of blackmail. He claims that their acquaintance began as a friendship and that she borrowed lakhs of rupees from him under the pretext of medical treatment and shopping. Dayal alleges that when he demanded the repayment of these loans, she proceeded to file the false allegations. He further accused her of taking his iPhone and laptop.
During the High Court proceedings, the bench comprising Justices Siddhartha Varma and Anil Kumar made a significant oral observation regarding the duration of the alleged deception. "You could have been fooled for 1 day, 2 day, 3 day…but 5 years...you are entering into a relationship for 5 years...one can't be fooled for 5 years," the bench orally remarked, highlighting the complexity of ascertaining the initial intent of a promise of marriage in such a long-standing relationship. The court acknowledged that at this stage, it is difficult to determine if a promise of marriage was made, or if it was false from the very beginning with an intention to obtain sexual consent.
The High Court's stay on Dayal's arrest will remain in effect until the next hearing date or until the police file their comprehensive report in the matter, allowing for further investigation and consideration of both parties' submissions.