Cheating case: SC protects Shreyas Talpade, Alok Nath from arrest
What's the story
The Supreme Court of India on Monday granted interim protection from arrest to actors Shreyas Talpade and Alok Nath. The order comes in light of an ongoing investigation into a case involving cheating and breach of trust by a society. The bench, comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R Mahadevan, said that the protection will remain until the probe is completed, reported PTI.
Case details
Talpade and Nath's involvement in the case
The case against Talpade and Nath was registered on the complaint of 37-year-old Vipul Antil from Sonipat. He alleged that both actors were brand ambassadors for the Human Welfare Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, which allegedly cheated the public through financial schemes. The FIR was registered under Sections 316, 318, and 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for various offenses, including criminal breach of trust and cheating.
Defense arguments
Talpade and Nath's defense in the case
During the hearing, Talpade's lawyer argued that the actor was only a guest celebrity at an annual event of the company and never earned any money from it. Nath's lawyer added that his client had not attended any function and his photo had been used for 10 years. The bench then asked if a top actor or cricketer could be held responsible for a corporate company's liquidation or criminal cases against it.
Plea outcome
Court's decision on pleas filed by Talpade and Nath
The Supreme Court was hearing pleas filed by Talpade and Nath for the clubbing of FIRs registered in various states in connection with the case. The bench disposed of the writ petition filed by Talpade, continuing the interim order of protection from arrest until the investigation is complete. The police had earlier said, "It has been alleged that they [Talpade and Nath] were its [society's] brand ambassadors and victims get lured to invest because of such personalities."