Unscrupulous Litigants Should Not Go Scot-Free: Supreme Court
Case title: Dinesh Gupta vs The state of Uttarpradesh
Case no.: S.L.P.(Crl.) No.3343 of 2022
Decided on: 11.01.2024
Quorum: Hon’ble Justice Vikram Nath, Hon’ble Justice Rajesh Bindal
FACTS OF THE CASE:
Owner of M/s D.D. Global Capital Pvt. Ltd., Karan Gambhir has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Sushil, Rajesh, Dinesh, Baljeet Singh, and other individuals. Among the private limited companies implicated are BDR, Gulab Buildtech, and Verma Buildtech. To reverse the summons order and FIR, Dinesh and Rajesh Gupta filed a petition in High Court. According to the complaint, Karan’s business gave Gulab Buildtech and Verma Buildtech short-term loans that were later converted into debt equity with the promise of large returns.
Despite purportedly forging a share pledge agreement, the complainant was able to secure a sizeable shareholding. Unannounced approval of amalgamation plans decreased the company’s ownership stake. Lawsuit after the accused disregarded the complainant’s requests for loan repayment. IPC Sections 420, 467, and 120-B are the subject of a charge sheet that the police have filed. The appeals took place after the High Court denied the petitions to set aside the summoning order and FIR.
APPELLANTS CONTENTION:
The appellant contended that a purely civil dispute involving financial transactions between corporations is being framed as a criminal case. Despite the fact that the company has no connection to Gautam Budh Nagar and that all transactions between the parties took place in New Delhi, the complaint was filed in Gautam Budh Nagar.
RESPONDENTS CONTENTION:
They claimed that the accused, working together, defrauded the complainant of crores of rupees by falsely promising higher returns. The High Court’s order contains no errors. The appeals are well-deservedly dismissed.
COURT ANALYSIS AND JUDGEMENT:
The court determined that if the FIR in question is pursued further, it will constitute an absolute abuse of court process. This is a clear case of malicious prosecution. Regardless of the commercial nature of the dispute, a criminal complaint was filed and a FIR was registered. Abuse of power and legal machinery undermines public trust in the judiciary. FIR and criminal proceedings were quashed, and the complainant was fined ₹25 lakhs to prevent future abuse of judicial remedies.
The court ruled that the respondents should be subject to stringent terms and conditions, including costs. It’s time to firmly examine any lawsuits that have been started and are riddled with deceit, secrecy, and forum shopping. Even state actions or the conduct of government servants who are parties to such malicious litigation should be severely reprimanded. Turning a civil matter into a criminal case not only overburdens the criminal justice system, but also violates the principles of fairness and proper legal conduct.
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Written by – Surya Venkata Sujith