Delhi HC dismisses plea seeking summoning of actor Vivek Oberoi, family in alleged cheating complaint

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The Delhi High Court has dismissed a plea seeking summoning of Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, his father Suresh Oberoi and their Delhi-based firm Yashi Multimedia Pvt Ltd for allegedly cheating an entertainment company in 2003.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav said he was disallowing the relief not only on the ground that the petitioner has resorted to civil remedies but also because the court found that perusal of the entire complaint would not prima facie attract commission of the offence of cheating under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

"Even non-disclosure of commission of offence on the basis of the entire complaint would be one of the grounds to quash the complaint as per the decision of the Supreme Court...," the HC said in an order passed on November 1.

Petitioner Deepak Mehta, CEO of Mumbai's Mehta Entertainment initially approached a magisterial court here with a criminal complaint against the Oberoi family and their company, seeking issuance of summons against them.

The complaint was dismissed. The dismissal was challenged before a revisional court and thereafter the HC.

Dismissing the petition, the HC said, "This court finds no justification to interfere with the order passed by the courts below in exercise of its powers under Section 482 of the CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code)." "Accordingly, the instant petition is dismissed," it said.

As per the complaint, petitioner was running an event management business and organising shows of celebrities/cine stars and film actors in different parts of the United States of America.

According to the plea, in January 2003, the complainant was introduced to the Oberois and Suresh Oberoi asked him to organise some shows for his son Vivek in the USA and Canada in August and September that year.

It alleged that the deal for organising the shows was completed and Vivek's consent was obtained and it was agreed that the shows would be organised in August or September 2003 for which USD 3,00,000 were to be paid to the actor.

"The complainant further stated that he remitted the aforesaid amount in the bank account of respondent no.1 (Yashi Entertainment). The complainant organised the shows but respondent no.5 (Vivek Oberoi) did not turn up," the plea alleged.

It said efforts were made to resolve the issue but the same failed and the complainant's money was not returned.