Cricket coach in Bengaluru booked for abusing, duping student's mother

Bengaluru: The Konanakunte police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a cricket coach and physical education teacher for allegedly sexually harassing and defrauding the mother of a student. 

The suspect, Abey V Mathew, is a native of Kerala and worked at Carmel Academy School on Bannerghatta Road, where he also ran a cricket academy.

The complaint was filed on Tuesday by a 33-year-old woman, who alleged that Mathew presented himself as a reputable coach and social worker and sexually exploited her by promising to marry her.

According to the FIR, the complainant alleged that Mathew targeted single mothers and women associated with his cricket academy and the school. 

The complainant, a divorced mother of a 10-year-old girl, stated she had first met Mathew while visiting her daughter's school.

At a time when she was facing personal and financial difficulties, she approached Mathew for a small loan. He allegedly responded by claiming to have a strong "police background" and a high-ranking position within the Aam Aadmi Party, promising to assist her. He then gained her trust by helping her find a house. 

The complainant alleged that after she got divorced in September 2024, Mathew began a physical relationship with her, using repeated promises of marriage to overcome her hesitation. He convinced her to live with him and had a lawyer draft a document to give the relationship a false sense of legitimacy.

The complaint further stated that the relationship resulted in a pregnancy in January 2025, which was followed by a natural abortion. When she confronted Mathew about his promises of marriage, he threatened to kill her, stole her mobile phone and personal belongings, and went into hiding.

The police have taken up the investigation. Mathew is absconding.

An official at the Konanakunte police station confirmed that an FIR has been registered and investigation is underway.