Delhi High Court - Orders
Puneet Gupta & Ors vs State Of Nct Of Delhi & Anr on 27 November, 2025
Author: Sanjeev Narula
Bench: Sanjeev Narula
$~63
* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
+ W.P.(CRL) 3900/2025 & CRL.M.A. 35209-35211/2025
PUNEET GUPTA & ORS ......Petitioners
Through: Mr. Varun Chawla, Ms. Somya Singh
and Mr. Nikhil Kumar, Advocates.
versus
STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR ......Respondents
Through: Mr. Yasir Rauf Ansari, ASC for the
State along with Mr. Alok Sharma,
Advocate and SI Ravinder, PS Rani
Bagh, Delhi.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJEEV NARULA
ORDER
% 27.11.2025
1. This petition under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (formerly Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973) seeks quashing of FIR No. 280/2025 registered under Sections 79 and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 at P.S. Rani Bagh.
2. Petitioners No. 1 and 2 are the directors of Petitioner No. 3, which operates the online intermediary platform "www.astrotalk.com" connecting astrologers with users seeking astrological services. It is contended that the platform is open to the public at large and any person may register either as an astrologer or as a user/customer. The Petitioners submits that although the company conducts a preliminary quality check before registering astrologers, however after registration, the astrologers interact with customers independently without any compulsion, control or interference from the platform. According to the Petitioners, the FIR has been lodged on the basis of a complaint by an astrologer who primarily levelled allegations of online abuse by unknown users, but has also made reference to the This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 01/12/2025 at 21:50:55 Petitioners.
3. It is submitted that the Petitioners have already furnished their response to the Investigating Officer and that the company shall fully cooperate in the investigation. It is contended, however, that the Petitioners apprehend unnecessary harassment during the course of investigation, prompting the filing of the present petition for quashing.
4. Since the investigation is presently at a nascent stage, Mr. Yasir Rauf Ansari, ASC for the State, on instructions, submits that no coercive action is presently contemplated and custodial interrogation of the Petitioners is not required at this stage. In view thereof, this Court is of the opinion that no interference is warranted at this juncture.
5. Counsel for the Petitioners assures that the Petitioners shall continue to cooperate in the investigation as and when required and shall also depute an authorised representative under Section 305 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (corresponding to Section 342 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023). In case any specific information is required from any of the directors of the company, the same shall be intimated by the Investigating Officer, to which the Petitioners shall duly respond and, if required, appear before the Investigating Officer.
6. Accordingly, the petition is disposed of.
7. The Court has not commented on the merits of the case. All rights and contentions of the parties are left open.
SANJEEV NARULA, J NOVEMBER 27, 2025/MK This is a digitally signed order.
The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 01/12/2025 at 21:50:55