While disposing of the writ petitions, the SC directed that the interim protection from arrest earlier granted would continue until the investigation into the offences against him is completed
The Supreme Court on Monday protected actors Shreyas Talpade and Alok Nath from arrest until the conclusion of the investigation in a case alleging cheating and criminal breach of trust linked to the Human Welfare Credit Cooperative Society Ltd.
The Bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan was hearing petitions filed by the two actors seeking the clubbing of multiple FIRs registered against them in different states.
While disposing of Talpade’s writ petition, the Court directed that the interim protection from arrest earlier granted would continue until the investigation into the offences against him is completed.
During the hearing, Advocate Sandeep Bajaj along with Advocates Aditya Chopra, Naman Tandon, and Mayank Biyani appeared for Talpade. The Counsel submitted that the actor had merely been invited as a guest celebrity to attend an annual event organised by the company and had no role in its operations or financial dealings. “I am not supposed to know. I never earned any money,” the Counsel told the Court.
Appearing for Alok Nath, his counsel contended that the actor had not attended any event organised by the society and that his photograph had allegedly been used without authority for nearly a decade. It was argued that Nath had no association with the society’s business activities.
The Bench posed a broader question on criminal liability arising from celebrity endorsements, asking whether an actor or a cricketer could be held responsible if a company they advertise for subsequently faces liquidation or criminal proceedings.
The case arises from a complaint filed by 37-year-old Sonipat resident Vipul Antil, following which thirteen persons, including Talpade and Nath, were booked. Antil alleged that the two actors promoted the cooperative society as brand ambassadors, thereby inducing investors to deposit money with the entity.
According to the police, it has been alleged that the presence of well-known personalities as brand ambassadors lured victims into investing in the society. An FIR was registered on January 22 under Sections 316(2), 318(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which deal with offences including cheating and criminal breach of trust.
The police have maintained that the investigation will determine the precise role, if any, played by the actors in the alleged offences. The Supreme Court clarified that its protection from arrest would operate only till the investigation concludes, leaving all issues open to be examined on the basis of evidence gathered.
In the writ petition filed through AoR Naman Tondon, Talpade has urged the Court to issue a writ of mandamus or other appropriate directions to transfer all FIRs to Gomti Nagar Police Station, Lucknow, where the first FIR (No. 20 of 2025) was registered under Sections 409 and 420 of the IPC.
The petition also seeks consolidation of complaints filed in Jind (Haryana), Mahoba (Uttar Pradesh), and Kotdwar (Uttarakhand).
According to the plea, Talpade was invited as a guest celebrity to annual events organised by the SAGA Group between 2018 and 2022, and had no commercial or managerial involvement with the group or its cooperative societies, such as Loni Urban Multi-State Credit and Thrift Co-operative Society Limited (LUCC) and Human Welfare Credit and Thrift Co-operative Society Limited (HWC). The actor claims he is being unnecessarily dragged into criminal proceedings without any specific allegations or evidence.
Several of the FIRs invoke provisions under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including Sections 409, 420, 419, and 406, 316, relating to criminal breach of trust, cheating, and impersonation.
Talpade’s petition contends that the multiplicity of proceedings is not only an abuse of process but also a violation of his fundamental rights under Article 21.
Case Title: Shreyas Talpade v. State of Haryana and connected matters
Hearing Date: December 15, 2025
Bench: Justices B. V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan