Background

Mr. Dutta was falsely accused of participating in a cheating scam involving a rare material called “Rice Puller,” which allegedly had magical properties and significant commercial value in the international market. The complaint was filed under the Indian Penal Code of 1860.

The Allegations

The complainant, intrigued by the potential of the “Rice Puller,” was introduced to Partho, who claimed to possess the rare material. The complainant then connected with Accused 1, the CEO of the UK-based company Vintage Group, which dealt with high-value antiques, including “Rice Puller” and other atomic materials.

Sequence of Events

1. Initial Meeting:
   • The complainant, along with friends, met with Accused 1 and Accused 2. They discussed how to successfully deal with the “Rice Puller” product.
   • Mr. Dutta was invited to Vintage Group’s Salt Lake office, where it was revealed that the company had merged with AAE Solutions.
2. Testing and Payments:
   • Partho handed over a sample water bottle at the Salt Lake office to be tested by Accused 2. The sample reportedly qualified for further testing, requiring a machine to measure radiation levels.
   • During an attempt to unpack the product, a hazardous smell emerged, prompting Partho to demand Rs. 10 crore as an advance.
   • The complainant managed to arrange some funds and deposited Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 1 lakh to AAE Solutions. Subsequently, Rs. 3.5 lakh was paid to Mr. Dutta and Accused 2.
3. Further Complications:
   • Due to an alleged casualty during mishandling, testing was postponed. Accused 2 and Mr. Dutta insisted that an additional Rs. 15 lakh was necessary to continue the process.
   • After a police raid and confiscation of materials, Accused 2 demanded another Rs. 40 lakh for procuring new materials and suit jackets, claiming previous chemicals had expired. This led to a further payment of Rs. 36 lakh and Rs. 24.5 lakh for anti-radiation suits and kits.
4. Realization of the Scam:
   • The complainant later discovered that the material had no radiation power and had been rendered useless by rain. The complainant demanded a refund of Rs. 89 lakh, which was not returned, leading to the filing of an FIR.

Mr. Dutta’s Involvement

The allegations against Mr. Dutta were unfounded and lacked any solid evidence. His involvement in the scam was indirect and based on conjecture. The primary perpetrator of the cheating scam was Accused 2. Despite the baseless nature of the accusations, Mr. Dutta was arrested.

Legal Action and Outcome

Mr. Dutta’s wife sought legal assistance from Kshetry and Associates to secure her husband’s bail. Through strategic and dedicated efforts, Kshetry and Associates successfully handled the case, resulting in Mr Dutta obtaining justice and proving his innocence.

Conclusion

This case highlights the vulnerability of individuals to false accusations in complex scams. Mr. Dutta’s ordeal underscores the importance of thorough investigations and the need for legal frameworks to protect innocent parties from wrongful allegations.