Jaipur, 25 Dec 2025: A special POCSO court in Jaipur on Wednesday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fast bowler Yash Dayal in a high-profile case alleging the rape of a minor, dealing a significant legal setback to the Indian Premier League (IPL) star just weeks before the 2026 season.
Judge Alka Bansal of POCSO Court-3 ruled that based on the evidence presented so far, there was no prima facie indication that Dayal has been falsely implicated, and that the material on record suggested his potential involvement, making it inappropriate to grant anticipatory bail at this stage of the investigation.
According to the FIR registered at Sanganer Sadar police station, the minor complainant accused Dayal of coaxing her with promises of helping advance her cricketing career and then allegedly sexually exploiting her repeatedly over approximately two-and-a-half years, including at hotels in Jaipur and Kanpur. Authorities have seized chat messages, photos, videos, call records, and hotel booking details from the complainant’s phone, which are being treated as key evidence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
During the bail hearing, Dayal’s defence counsel, Kunal Jaiman, strongly denied the allegations, arguing that his client had only met the complainant in public places and never alone. The defence further claimed the complainant misrepresented her age, accepted money from Dayal, citing financial needs, and later fabricated the case for extortion. A related case filed in Ghaziabad, which the defence said was part of an alleged extortion scheme, has also been cited in court submissions.
Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution highlighted the gravity of the charges and the special sensitivity of cases involving minors, asserting that consent has no legal relevance under the POCSO Act.
With anticipatory bail denied, Dayal now faces the possibility of arrest as the investigation continues. Legal experts say the court’s decision underscores that cases involving allegations under POCSO are treated with heightened caution, particularly during early stages of inquiry.
The development raises questions about Dayal’s availability for IPL 2026, although he remains contracted with RCB following retention ahead of the auction. Team officials and franchise management have not yet commented publicly on how the court ruling may affect his participation in the upcoming league.