Yash Dayal's Arrest Halted: What’s Next for the Cricketer Amid Serious Allegations?

Court Halts Arrest of Cricketer Yash Dayal

Prayagraj: On Tuesday, the Allahabad High Court intervened to stay the arrest of cricketer Yash Dayal, who is facing allegations of sexual exploitation against a woman.

The bench, consisting of Justices Siddhartha Varma and Anil Kumar, issued this order in response to Dayal's petition contesting the FIR filed against him.

While halting his arrest, the court instructed the state counsel to submit a counter-affidavit and also notified the complainant to present her response.

The FIR, lodged on July 6 at the Indirapuram police station in Ghaziabad, accuses the 27-year-old player, who represents Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL, of exploiting a woman under the guise of marriage.

Dayal's legal counsel argued that for an accusation under Section 69 of the BNS to hold, it must be proven that he made a marriage promise without any intention of fulfilling it.

The lawyer pointed out that the FIR indicates the complainant had been in a relationship with Dayal for five years and only filed the complaint after his selection for the Indian cricket team, suggesting ulterior motives.

He further claimed that Dayal had financially supported the complainant throughout their relationship and never made any deceitful promises.

The counsel contended that the allegations do not substantiate that Dayal engaged in sexual relations through deceitful means, asserting that the FIR was filed after their relationship soured.

In contrast, the additional government advocate highlighted that the complainant alleged ongoing physical exploitation and that Dayal had introduced her to his family under false pretenses of marriage.

The court noted, "Upon reviewing the FIR, it is clear that the relationship lasted five years. At this point, it is challenging to determine if there was a promise of marriage or if such a promise was false from the outset to gain sexual consent. This matter requires further examination."

The court added, "Until the next hearing or the police report is submitted, whichever comes first, the petitioner shall not be arrested."

In his petition, Dayal sought both a stay on his arrest and the quashing of the FIR.

The complainant stated that they met five years ago, during which Dayal allegedly promised to marry her but continually postponed the proposal, leading her to discover his involvement with other women.

The complaint was initially filed on June 21 through the chief minister's online grievance portal.