Calcutta High Court orders immediate arrest of Abishek Porel in rape case

The Calcutta High Court has ordered the immediate arrest of Bengal and Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel in connection with a rape case. The court has also directed the investigating authorities to seize the cricketer's electronic devices to safeguard the complainant's privacy and preserve digital evidence during the course of the investigation.

The development comes more than a month after a woman lodged a complaint accusing Porel of engaging in a sexual relationship with her under the false promise of marriage. The complainant also alleged that she was subjected to physical assault and criminal intimidation. Porel has denied the allegations against him.

According to the complaint, the woman, who is reportedly a medical student, claimed that she and Porel had been in a relationship for the past three years. She alleged that their relationship began to deteriorate last year, after which the cricketer gradually distanced himself. The complainant further stated that Porel had promised to marry her but later refused to fulfill that promise.

Woman files complaint against Bengal cricketer Abishek Porel

The woman also alleged that Porel threatened to circulate her intimate photographs and videos if she pursued the matter, leading her to approach the authorities.

The case has been registered at the Mogra Police Station. The First Information Report (FIR) reportedly includes non-bailable offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to rape and criminal intimidation. Following the High Court's directive, the police have been instructed to arrest the accused without delay and seize his electronic devices as part of the ongoing investigation.

Porel, 23, is yet to make his international debut for India but has established himself as a promising wicketkeeper-batter in domestic cricket. He has represented the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) across four seasons, featuring in 35 matches and scoring 769 runs at an average of 25.63.

Apart from his IPL career, Porel has also impressed in domestic cricket for Bengal. He has played 32 first-class matches, scoring 1,408 runs, while in 23 List A appearances he has accumulated 833 runs. His consistent performances have helped him cement his place as Bengal's first-choice wicketkeeper, although he is yet to earn a call-up to the Indian national team.