IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION RAKESH CHANDRA JHA & ORS. PETITIONER(S)

VERSUS THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL & ORS. RESPONDENT(S)

O R D E R

1. Heard learned counsel for the parties.

2. The petitioners seeking transfer of criminal proceeding bearing FIR No.177/2023 initiated against them by Respondent No.3 before Police Station Karaya, Kolkata, West Bengal to Bisrakh, Central (Commissionerate Gautambuddha Nagar), Noida, Uttar Pradesh as similar complaint has been filed by the same Respondent No.3 i.e. FIR No.134/2023 on the same cause of action. The allegations made by the complainant are related to the election of Apartment Owners Association in Noida, Uttar Pradesh and in relation to which the complainant and the accused-petitioners exchanged texts messages, which according to the complainant are defamatory in nature.

3. Be that as it may, since the basic dispute between the parties in sum and substance is primarily in Noida, we think it appropriate that the criminal proceeding at Kolkata, West Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by Nirmala Negi Bengal, be transferred to Noida, Uttar Pradesh. We have been Date: 2025.02.07

17:46:10 IST Reason:

informed that cha