Petition to quash FIR dismissed; minor status and non-involvement claims to be verified during investigation.

for R1 O R D E R The petitioner/A4 in Crime No. 113 of 2025 registered for the offences under Sections 406, 420 IPC r/w Section 5 of TN Protection of Interest of Depositors (in Financial Establishments) Act, 1997, has filed this quash application.

2. The gist of the complaint is that the de facto complainant was enticed by A1 financial establishment by name Sri Balaji Real Estate Promoters Private Limited and made to invest a sum of Rs.36,000/- for purchasing a house plot. However, the said company cheated the de facto complainant/2^nd respondent herein without registering a house from the year 2014 to 2024. Further, the said Company is alleged to have cheated several others investors by advertising house plans and cheated a sum of Rs.40 lakhs and odd.

3. The contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that the offence is alleged to have taken place from 2008 to 2014. The petitioner was a minor, aged about 17 years in the year 2008 and he was not at all involved in the business of Sri Balaji Real Estate Promoters Private Limited. Since, the petitioner happens to be the son of A2, who is the Managing Partner of the aforesaid company, he has been falsely implicated in this case.

4. Learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) strongly opposed the petitioner’s contention and submitted that A1 company had devised a scheme and collected Rs.12,000/- per month from prospective purchasers/investors promising that lands would be allotted and thereby collected huge sums of money. So far, 70 investors have lodged complaints and more complaints are pouring in. The petitioner has cheated more than Rs.80 lakhs and some more complaints have been lodged. The investigation is in progress. The petitioner’s contention that he was a minor and that he was not at all involved in A2’s company will be considered during investigation and if found to have credence, appropriate steps will be taken at the time of filing of final report.

5. In view of the above submission made by the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), recording the same, this criminal original petition is dismissed. Connected miscellaneous petition is closed.