Realty cheating case: Delhi High Court stays trial court’s order for fresh probe against Gautam Gambhir
Delhi: The Delhi High Court stayed an order that had rejected the discharge of former cricketer Gautam Gambhir by a lower court in a case relating to alleged cheating of homebuyers. The former India cricketer was the director and brand ambassador for a real estate firm involved in the case but was acquitted of the charges. The state government had challenged that order.
Delhi High Court on Monday stayed an order that had set aside the discharge of former cricketer and present head coach of the Indian cricket team Gautam Gambhir and others in a case in which home buyers were reportedly cheated. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri passed the interim order and sought the response of the Delhi government on a plea by Gambhir challenging the sessions court verdict which had set aside a magisterial court order discharging him in the case. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued on Gambhir’s behalf, emphasizing his unblemished record and potential harassment from further investigation.
The high court said a detailed order would be passed later on.
The sessions court, on October 29, said the magisterial court’s decision showed “inadequate expression of mind” in disposing of the allegations against Gambhir.
“The allegations also deserve deeper probe into the role of Gautam Gambhir,” it said.
The sessions court had remanded the case back to the magisterial court with directives to pass a detailed fresh order. The cheating case was filed against real estate firms Rudra Buildwell Realty Pvt Ltd, H R Infracity Pvt Ltd, U M Architectures and Contractors Ltd and Gambhir, who was a director and brand ambassador of the companies’ joint venture.