Delhi HC Grants Interim Relief to Gautam Gambhir in Cheating Case
The Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir, staying a sessions court order that called for further investigation into allegations of cheating against him. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri issued the stay while hearing a plea by Gambhir challenging the sessions court’s October 29 verdict.
Represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and lawyer Paritosh Budhiraja, Gambhir sought relief against the sessions court’s direction, which criticized the magisterial court’s earlier decision as reflecting “inadequate expression of mind” in addressing the allegations. The sessions court had sent the case back to the magisterial court for a more detailed examination.
The allegations stem from Gambhir’s role as a director and brand ambassador for a joint venture of real estate firms Rudra Buildwell Realty Pvt Ltd, H R Infracity Pvt Ltd, and U M Architectures and Contractors Ltd. The firms jointly promoted a housing project called Serra Bella in Ghaziabad, later renamed Pavo Real.
According to the prosecution, complainants were lured into booking flats in the project between 2011 and 2013, paying sums ranging from ₹6 lakh to ₹16 lakh. Despite these payments, no progress was made on the project, and the land remained undeveloped. The complainants later discovered the site plan was neither approved by state authorities nor free from litigation, with a stay order issued by the Allahabad High Court on the land in 2003.
The sessions court noted that Gambhir, as the brand ambassador, had direct interactions with investors. It also highlighted financial transactions involving Gambhir, including ₹6 crore paid by him to Rudra Buildwell Realty Pvt Ltd and ₹4.85 crore received from the company, which were not adequately addressed by the magisterial court.
The interim relief by the High Court offers Gambhir temporary reprieve as the legal proceedings continue.
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
