Abhishek Porel, the wicketkeeper-batsman for Bengal and Delhi Capitals, was arrested by Bengal police on Tuesday in connection with an alleged rape case filed by a medical student. The police took him into custody for questioning in Hooghly and formally arrested him after the interrogation. The 23-year-old cricketer underwent a medical examination and was presented in Chinsurah Court.
This case came to light following a woman’s complaint. She alleged in her report at the Mogra police station that Abhishek Porel had physical relations with her under the promise of marriage.
However, these allegations have not yet been confirmed in court. The case is currently under investigation, and the actual status of the matter will only become clear after further legal proceedings.
Abhishek Porel’s Cricket Career
Abhishek Porel has been one of the prominent young players in Bengal cricket. He has played for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. As a left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, he has made a name for himself in domestic cricket and has also been given a chance in the India A team.
However, following the emergence of this legal case, questions have started to arise regarding his cricket career. The future situation will depend on the investigation and court proceedings.
In this context, let’s take a look at five international cricketers who have faced arrest or legal action related to women’s issues.
1. Makhaya Ntini
Former South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini was one of the first black cricketers to play for his country. In 1999, he was convicted in a rape case dating back to 1998 and sentenced to six years in prison.
However, that same year, the Grahamstown High Court overturned his conviction and sentence. The court found serious flaws in the case presented by the state and ruled that the allegations could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Following this, Ntini continued his international cricket career, playing a total of 101 Test matches for South Africa and establishing himself as one of the team’s leading fast bowlers.
2. Rubel Hossain
Bangladeshi fast bowler Rubel Hossain was arrested for a short period in January 2015 following allegations made by actress Naznin Akhtar Happy. She accused him of sexual harassment and failing to fulfill a promise of marriage.
Rubel was granted bail a few days later and successfully played for Bangladesh in the 2015 Cricket World Cup. Later, in May 2015, a Dhaka court acquitted him in this case.
3. Luke Pomersbach
Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach had played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. He was arrested on May 18, 2012, following an incident in New Delhi.
He faced charges of molestation, assault, and trespassing related to an incident involving an American citizen and her fiancé at the ITC Maurya hotel after an IPL match.
Royal Challengers Bangalore suspended him pending an internal investigation. However, by the end of May 2012, the complainant withdrew her allegations, and a mutual settlement was reached with the cricketer. Subsequently, the Delhi High Court terminated the criminal proceedings.
4. Ryan Hinds
Former West Indies and Barbados cricketer Ryan Hinds was arrested in March 2012 following allegations of rape made by a woman in Barbados.
He was presented in the District B Magistrate Court in Bridgetown, where he was granted bail.
Later, in February 2014, all sexual harassment charges against Hinds were dismissed when the complainant informed the court that she would not present any evidence in the case.
5. Sandeep Lamichhane
Nepal’s star cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane had an arrest warrant issued against him by Kathmandu police in September 2022 following allegations made by an 18-year-old woman.
Subsequently, the Cricket Association of Nepal suspended him from captaincy. He was arrested upon returning to Nepal from the West Indies.
The Kathmandu District Court found him guilty in the rape case and sentenced him to eight years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a fine and compensate the victim.
However, shortly after, a two-member bench of the Patan High Court overturned the lower court’s decision, citing lack of sufficient evidence, and acquitted him in the case.
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