SC seeks response of UP govt, businessman on plea of Remo D’Souza in cheating case
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and Ghaziabad-based businessman Satyendra Tyagi in a cheating case involving ace Bollywood director and choreographer Remo D’Souza.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan sought responses of the state government and the businessman and ordered that the notices be served through ‘dasti’ mode.
The case dates back to 2016 when an FIR was lodged against D’Souza by Tyagi.
The FIR alleged that D’Souza persuaded Tyagi to invest Rs 5 crore in his upcoming film ‘Amar Must Die’ with a promise of doubling the invested amount after its release.
However, the businessman claimed that the promise was not honoured.
The FIR, filed under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 386 (extortion) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), also alleged that when Tyagi sought his money, D’Souza threatened him by having underworld don Prasad Pujari intimidate him.
The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ghaziabad, took cognizance of the offence in October 2020.
D’Souza moved the Allahabad High Court to challenge the cognizance order and seek a stay on the proceedings.
However, on August 23, 2023, the High Court dismissed his petition. A bench of Justice Rajeev Misra noted that D’Souza had not challenged the chargesheet filed in the case, making it impossible for the court to grant him relief.
The top court took up the appeal of D’Souza on Thursday and issued the notices. “Issue notice, returnable on November 22. Only ‘dasti’ service is permitted,” it said.
Remo D'Souza, born Ramesh Gopi Nair on April 2, 1974, is a luminary in the entertainment industry, celebrated as a choreographer, film director and producer.
With a career spanning over 25 years, D’Souza has choreographed more than 100 films, earning widespread acclaim as one of Bollywood's most successful and innovative choreographers.
His directorial ventures, including ABCD: Any Body Can Dance, ABCD 2, and Street Dancer 3D have redefined the dance film genre in the Hindi film industry.
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ICC puts PCB's 'POK 'Champions Trophy tour on hold after BCCI's strong objection
New Delhi, Nov 15: The BCCI has strong objected to Pakistan Cricket Board's purported move to take the Champions Trophy for a tour of the disputed 'Pakistan Occupied Kashmir' (POK), prompting the global body ICC to put the promotional event on hold.
The tournament, last played in 2017, is already in limbo after the BCCI officially intimated ICC about Indian cricket team's inability to travel to Pakistan.
The PCB in return, as of now, has rejected the proposed 'Hybrid Model' with India playing its matches in Dubai. The schedule has also been put on hold and the new controversy could only make things ugly.
It is learnt that BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Friday spoke to the top brass of the ICC and condemned this move by Pakistan and has urged the global body to take strong note.
"The BCCI secretary, after it came to his notice, called up the ICC and was extremely critical of PCB's move to conduct a Trophy tour of multiple cities which fall under Pakistan Occupied Kashmir," a senior BCCI official privy to the development told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
"He has urged the ICC to take strong action. As far as Islamabad is concerned, there is no issue but there can't be any Trophy tour to POK."
The Trophy Tour is part of the global body’s promotional campaign, involving visits to multiple cities as per discussions between the international body and the host country.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), without prior consultation with all stakeholders, announced on its official social media that the Trophy would be taken to Skardu, Murree, and Hunza -- areas that fall under the disputed territory.
"Get ready, Pakistan! The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour kicks off in Islamabad on 16 November, also visiting scenic travel destinations like Skardu, Murree, Hunza and Muzaffarabad. Catch a glimpse of the trophy which Sarfaraz Ahmed lifted in 2017 at The Oval, from 16-24 November," PCB tweeted.
When an ICC Board Member was contacted, he told PTI: "The discussions on Trophy tour is still on. I am not aware if PCB had kept everyone in loop about the four cities mentioned but if not then it was certainly not the right thing to do. I don't think ICC will allow PCB to take the trophy to any disputed region."
