The Supreme Court has restored a cheating case filed against the wife of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on a complaint filed by a Chennai-based advertising company, alleging non-payment of dues for the promotion works of 2014 film Kochadaiiyaan.
The Bench of Justice A.S. Bopanna and Justice M.M. Sundresh, however, granted Latha Rajinikanth to file an application before the Trial Court seeking discharge from the case.
The Apex Court passed the order on two Special Leave Petitions challenging the August 2022 verdict of the Karnataka High Court, which quashed the charges for cheating and giving false evidence against her. However, the High Court sustained the forgery charge against her.
Challenging the High Court order, the advertising company (Ad Bureau Advertising Ltd) and Latha filed separate petitions in the Apex Court.
The advertising company sought quashing of cheating and other charges, while Lathaa challenged the refusal of the High Court to quash other charges.
The Supreme Court disposed of both the petitions by restoring the original chargesheet. While doing so, the Court cited an earlier order passed in 2018 in relation to the complaint where it was observed that the complainant had a triable case.
The Bench clarified that it has not expressed anything on the merits of the matter. It also left it open to the parties to resolve the disputes through mediation.
The Apex Court clarified that the Trial Court was free to decide the application for discharge on its merits without being influenced by the Supreme Court’s order. The Court also dispensed with the physical presence of Latha Rajinikanth until and unless the same was required by the Trial Court.