Haryana Multi-Marketing Scam: Supreme Court Shields Shreyas Talpade, Alok Nath From Arrest

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.