Allahabad High Court grants interim protection from arrest to Yash Dayal in sexual harassment case

The Allahabad High Court has granted fast bowler Yash Dayal interim protection from arrest in a sexual harassment case filed by a woman with whom he was reportedly in a five-year relationship. The order, passed by a division bench comprising Justices Siddhartha Varma and Anil Kumar, provides temporary relief to the cricketer until the next hearing or until the police submits its report.

The case was built upon an FIR registered on July 6 at the Indirapuram police station in Ghaziabad. The complaint, filed under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), accuses Dayal of sexual exploitation through cheating. According to the complainant, a woman from Ghaziabad, Dayal entered into a prolonged relationship with her on the false promise of marriage. She alleged that he introduced her to his family as a potential bride and emotionally, physically, and financially exploited her over five years.

The woman also claimed instances of physical violence and mental harassment, stating that she was made financially dependent on Dayal and later discovered his alleged involvement with other women. She pointed out that the promise of marriage was a means to gain her trust and consent for sexual relations. During the hearing on Tuesday, the High Court made strong observations, expressing concerns over the claims regarding the longevity of the relationship. 

"You could have been fooled for 1 day, 2 days or 3 days, but 5 years? You are entering into a relationship for five years, one can’t be fooled for five years,” the court said as quoted by Cricket Times. 

Dayal counter-complaints against the woman

The Court emphasized that the matter required deeper investigation and that it would not be appropriate to make any urgent move against the accused at this point. Accordingly, the court issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government, the Ghaziabad police, and the complainant, directing them to submit their responses.

The pacer has denied the allegations, stating that the FIR was filed with cruel intent after his recent selection to the Indian national team. He revealed that the complainant remained silent for years and only took legal action after he gained significant popularity.

As part of his legal defence, Dayal submitted that he had supported the woman financially during their relationship and that no false promise of marriage was ever made. He also filed a counter-complaint against the woman, accusing her of theft and financial fraud, citing the disappearance of his iPhone and laptop.