The Rajasthan High Court on Friday dealt a significant blow to cricketer Yash Dayal by refusing to grant him interim protection from arrest. The court's decision comes in connection with grave allegations of sexual exploitation of a minor, filed under the stringent POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Court Orders Investigation Update
Justice Praveer Bhatnagar, presiding over the hearing, declined to provide any interim relief to the athlete. Instead, the court directed the investigating officer in the case to appear before it on January 19 to present a detailed update on the progress of the probe. This move underscores the court's intent to closely monitor the investigation into the serious charges.
Details of the Allegations and Legal Journey
The case originates from a complaint lodged at the Sanganer (Sadar) police station by a minor girl on July 23, 2025. In her complaint, she alleged that Yash Dayal had molested and sexually exploited her over a prolonged period of two and a half years. The complaint further stated that the cricketer had allegedly taken advantage of her emotional and financial vulnerabilities.
Seeking to avoid arrest, Dayal had first approached the Special POCSO Court, which rejected his anticipatory bail application on December 22, 2025. Following this denial, he moved the Rajasthan High Court.
Defense Arguments and Parallel Case
During the high court proceedings, Dayal's counsel, Chandra Shekhar Sharma, presented the defense's case. Sharma argued that the complainant had failed to prove her presence at the city hotel where she claimed the harassment occurred. He also challenged her statement about using another person's identity card for hotel check-in, labeling it as baseless. The counsel maintained that Dayal was falsely implicated in the matter.
Sharma also informed the court about another criminal case registered against Yash Dayal in Ghaziabad by a different complainant. He noted that the Allahabad High Court had granted him bail in that separate matter on July 15, 2025.
The denial of interim relief by the Rajasthan High Court marks a critical juncture in this legal battle. With the next hearing scheduled for January 19, all eyes will be on the investigation report that will be submitted to the court. The proceedings highlight the serious nature of the allegations under the POCSO Act and the judicial scrutiny they are receiving.
