Jaipur POCSO court rejects anticipatory bail plea of cricketer Yash Dayal

A special POCSO court in Jaipur on Wednesday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of cricketer Yash Dayal in a case involving allegations of rape of a minor, observing that the seriousness of the charges did not warrant protection from arrest at this stage.

Special POCSO Court No. 3 judge Alka Bansal said that, considering the victim’s statement, available evidence and the overall circumstances of the case, granting pre-arrest bail would be inappropriate. The court emphasised that cases involving minors require heightened caution and sensitivity during investigation.

The case arises from a complaint filed by a Jaipur-based girl at the Sanganer Sadar police station. She alleged that Dayal sexually exploited her over a prolonged period by promising to help her build a cricket career. According to the complaint, the accused portrayed himself as an influential cricketer, emotionally manipulated her and assured her of cricket-related opportunities and future support.

The complainant further stated that the alleged offences took place when she was a minor. She claimed that when she later confronted the accused, she was threatened and attempts were made to sever contact with her, following which she approached the police and lodged a formal complaint.

During the hearing, counsel for the accused argued that the allegations were false and contended that the relationship was consensual. The defence also submitted that Dayal is a professional cricketer with a good reputation and is willing to cooperate fully with the investigation.

Opposing the plea, the special public prosecutor and counsel for the complainant argued that anticipatory bail should not be granted in a case involving a minor. Advocate Devesh Sharma, representing the victim, said that consent has no legal relevance in cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and that prima facie evidence supports the allegations.

After hearing both sides, the court noted that anticipatory bail is a discretionary relief and not a matter of right. It added that in cases involving serious allegations against minors, the possibility of the investigation being influenced or affected must be taken into account.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s decision to retain Dayal for the Indian Premier League 2026 season has drawn criticism, with questions being raised over the franchise’s stance as the player faces two serious criminal cases, including one under the POCSO Act. RCB retained Dayal, who was bought for ₹5 crore last year, among the 17 players kept ahead of the November 15 deadline.