Delhi HC stays order revoking Gautam Gambhir's discharge in cheating case

Providing relief to India head coach Gautam Gambhir, the Delhi High Court on Monday stayed the trial court order which had set aside the discharge of the former cricketer in an alleged cheating case with home buyers.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri stayed the order saying, "Will pass a detailed order. The stay shall remain continue till date."

Earlier, the magistrate court had discharged Gambhir. But, the session court had set aside the said order.

Following this, the former cricketer challenged the session court order in the Delhi High Court.

Senior advocates Mukul Rohtagi and Sandeep Sethi assisted by Advocate Paritosh Budhiraja, appeared in Gambhir.

It was also submitted that Gambhir has an unblemished record. To be an ambassador for companies is normal for celebrities.

The Rouse Avenue court on October 29 had set aside a magistrate court order for the discharge of former BJP MP and India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir in connection with alleged cheating of home buyers by realty companies.

The amount of alleged cheating is Rs 3.5 crores.

Gambhir was the brand ambassador of the project.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne set aside the discharge order passed by the additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on December 10, 2020.

The court said that the allegedly cheated amount of Rs 3.5 crores, mentioned as the booking amount received from the investors, if it was indeed derived as a result of criminal activity of any of the accused persons (whether charged or discharged) may be required to be probed as "proceeds of crime," and any of the accused who were involved in activity connected to such possible "proceeds of crime," including by way of concealment, possession or acquisition may have to be investigated concerning "money laundering."