The Rajasthan High Court recently stayed the investigation into Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in a cheating case linked to the sale of a defective Hyundai car.
The stay also covers Hyundai Motor India’s top executives, Unsoo Kim (Managing Director) and Tarun Garg (Chief Operating Officer), who were named in the complaint.
Background
The case stems from a complaint by a resident of Bharatpur who purchased a Hyundai Alcazar in June 2022 from an authorised dealership. After driving the vehicle for nearly 67,000 kilometres, the owner reportedly encountered repeated technical and manufacturing faults. Despite multiple requests for a replacement or refund, the consumer claimed that Hyundai’s response was unsatisfactory.
Frustrated with the company’s handling of the matter, the buyer filed a criminal complaint. A magistrate court subsequently directed the police to register a first information report (FIR), citing offences under cheating and criminal conspiracy provisions.
Petitioners Argue Lack Of Connection
The petitioners – Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Kim, and Garg – contested their inclusion in the case, arguing that the allegations against them were “absolutely arbitrary and malicious.” They asserted that the complaint did not reveal any cognisable offence committed by them.
“It was stated that the petitioners have no connection or nexus with the sale of the vehicle in question and do not deal with consumer complaints for repairing or manufacturing defects in the sold car,” the court record noted.
The petitioners contended that their roles did not involve consumer grievances or defect management and that implicating them in the FIR was unjustified.
Court Grants Stay & Advises Mediation
After reviewing the matter, Justice Sudesh Bansal issued notices to both the police and the complainant and granted a stay on the ongoing investigation. The stay ensures that no coercive steps are taken against the petitioners while the court examines the case further.
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