Abishek Porel Granted Bail After 36 Days in Custody
Bengal wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel has been released on bail by a Chinsurah court after spending more than a month in judicial custody in connection with an alleged rape and criminal intimidation case.
The Delhi Capitals player had been behind bars for 36 days following his arrest on August 11, a development that came after a complaint filed by a medical student from Karnataka. News of his bail was reported by ABP Ananda and confirmed across multiple outlets on Monday.
Allegations and legal trail
The complainant told police she had been in a relationship with Porel for around three-and-a-half years and that the two had planned to marry. She alleged they travelled abroad together during this period. Her accusation centres on claims that Porel later denied the relationship, which, she said, pushed her to approach the authorities.
She lodged her complaint at Mogra police station on June 23. In her statement, she also referred to a dispute between the two about one-and-a-half years earlier that had led to police intervention, though no formal complaint was filed at that time.
Police registered a case under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 311 and 318 and other provisions of the BNS, as well as Sections 66 and 72 of the Information Technology Act. The case then moved to the Calcutta High Court, which directed police to arrest Porel.
The proceedings have not been limited to the rape allegation. The case file also includes charges of criminal intimidation and other related offences. The court ordered investigators to seize Porel’s electronic devices amid concerns over possible circulation of photographs of the complainant.
Following his arrest, Porel was produced before the Chinsurah court, where his initial bail plea was rejected and he was sent to judicial custody. His latest application has now been accepted, clearing the way for his release. Porel has previously denied the allegations against him.
Career on hold
The legal battle has interrupted the rise of a 23-year-old who had been steadily building his reputation in Indian domestic cricket and the IPL.
Porel joined Delhi Capitals in 2023 and made his IPL debut that season. In the 2026 campaign, he scored 108 runs in four innings for the franchise, showing flashes of the aggressive strokeplay that made him a sought-after wicketkeeper-batter.
Across formats, his T20 numbers underline his potential: 35 games, 769 runs, an average of 25.63 and a strike rate of 145.37, with four half-centuries to his name.
In the longer format, Porel has become a regular for Bengal since his first-class debut in the 2021-22 season. He has already turned out in 32 first-class matches and 23 List A games, cementing his place in the state setup.
For now, the focus shifts from runs and dismissals to court dates and legal arguments. How quickly, or even whether, Porel can return to the crease will depend on what happens next in a case that is far from over.
