Bombay High Court dismisses the extortion case, Orders the parties to serve six months in old age facility

The Bombay High Court has decided to dismiss an FIR filed against five Pune citizens in connection with an alleged case of abduction and extortion provided they serve at an old-age home on two Sundays monthly for the next six months.

The accused were charged with introducing themselves to a 30-year-old guy from Pune and inviting him to join in online betting game practices. The five individuals convinced the 30-year-old that he would receive great returns on his investment. The man agreed and put up a specified sum of money.

One of the accused then earned 30,000 points on a betting app for the 30-year-old man and wanted Rs 30 lakh in return. When the individual told them he did not have that sort of money, the petitioners reportedly kidnapped, attacked, and mistreated him.

Victimised, the guy filed a complaint with the police, and charges were filed against the accused at the Wanwadi police station in Pune under Sections 365 (abduction), 384 (extortion), 504 (intentional insults), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (common intention).

The defendants testified before the high court that several of them had lost their jobs as a result of the FIR filed against them and were having difficulty finding work. In light of their previous actions, they convinced the court that they were regretful and eager to undertake community service.

The bench headed by justice AS Kilor and PB Varale observed that the 30-year-old man had submitted an affidavit before the high court indicating that he and the five accused had reached an amicable settlement.

As a result, the court stated that continuing the procedures would be pointless because the complainant and accused had decided to settle the matter peacefully.

The court ordered the five accused petitioners, as well as the complainant, to visit Niwara Old Age Home in Pune every first and third Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a six-month term.