In a recent turn of events, the Allahabad High Court has rejected the plea of renowned Bollywood choreographer Remo D’Souza to quash an eight-year-old criminal case filed against him. The court’s decision marks a significant setback for the choreographer, who has been embroiled in a legal battle stemming from allegations of fraud and intimidation.
The Background: Allegations of Fraud and Intimidation
The case against Remo D’Souza dates back to December 2016, when Ghaziabad-based businessman Satyendra Tyagi accused him of duping him into investing ₹5 crore in a film project. According to Tyagi, Remo promised to return ₹10 crore within a year in exchange for the investment. Trusting Remo, Tyagi provided ₹2 lakh in cash and an additional ₹3 lakh via cheque.
However, when Tyagi sought the return of his money, he allegedly received threats from underworld don Prasad Pujari, who warned him against pursuing the matter further. Disturbed by the threats and feeling cheated, Tyagi filed a case at the Sihani Gate police station in Ghaziabad, accusing Remo of fraud and criminal intimidation.
Legal Proceedings: Charges Filed and Petition Rejected
Following the filing of the complaint, the Ghaziabad police launched an investigation into the matter. The investigation culminated in a chargesheet being filed against Remo D’Souza and Prasad Pujari in the trial court under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Subsequently, the court issued summons for Remo to appear before it.
Seeking relief, Remo D’Souza approached the Allahabad High Court, filing a petition to quash the charges against him. However, during the hearing, it was noted that the petition did not challenge the chargesheet itself, which weakened Remo’s case.
The Court’s Verdict: No Relief for Remo D’Souza
A single bench of Justice Rajiv Mishra presided over the hearing of the petition. Remo’s legal team argued that the choreographer was being falsely implicated and that there was no merit to the accusations. On the other hand, the lawyers representing Satyendra Tyagi, Pankaj Tyagi and Dr. Akash Tyagi, strongly opposed the petition, arguing that the charges were serious and warranted further legal proceedings.
After considering the arguments from both sides, the court decided to reject Remo D’Souza’s petition. The decision means that the case against the choreographer will proceed, and he will need to defend himself against the charges in the trial court.
Implications: What’s Next for Remo D’Souza?
The court’s ruling is a significant development in the ongoing legal saga involving Remo D’Souza. As the case moves forward, all eyes will be on the trial court proceedings to see how the allegations against the choreographer are addressed. The rejection of his petition by the High Court adds pressure on Remo to prove his innocence in a case that has already garnered considerable public attention.
For now, Remo D’Souza must prepare to face the legal challenges ahead, as the allegations of fraud and intimidation continue to cast a shadow over his illustrious career in the Bollywood industry.
