Bollywood actors Shreyas Talpade and Alok Nath find themselves embroiled in a significant legal controversy, named as accused in a cheating and breach of trust case registered at the Murthal police station in Sonipat, Haryana.

The First Information Report (FIR), filed on January 22, lists the two prominent actors among thirteen individuals charged under Sections 316 (2), 318 (2), and 318 (4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These charges encompass criminal breach of trust, cheating, and the fraudulent transfer of property.

The complainant, Sonipat resident Vipul Antil, levelled accusations against the Human Welfare Credit Cooperative Society, registered in Indore under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act of 2002. Antil alleges that the society, active across multiple states, including Haryana, since September 16th, 2016, lured investors with promises of exorbitant returns on fixed deposits (FDs) and recurring deposits (RDs).

The society employed a multi-level marketing strategy, incentivizing agents to recruit additional investors, creating a pyramid scheme structure that ultimately led to widespread financial losses.

Ajeet Singh, the Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Murthal, confirmed the inclusion of Talpade and Nath’s names in the list of accused, based on statements provided by the complainant. Singh clarified that the primary focus of the investigation remains the alleged fraudulent activities of the cooperative society, and the police are currently working to determine the specific roles, if any, played by Talpade and Nath in the alleged scheme. The investigation will delve into the extent of their involvement and whether they directly benefited from the alleged fraudulent activities.

The case has sent ripples through the Bollywood industry, casting a shadow over the careers of both actors. While the details of their alleged involvement remain under investigation, the allegations raise serious questions about their conduct and potential complicity in a scheme that defrauded numerous investors.

Shreyas Talpade’s most recent cinematic appearance was in Kangana Ranaut’s directorial debut, Emergency, a historical drama set during India’s tumultuous Emergency period from 1975 to 1977. Alok Nath, a veteran Bollywood actor, boasts a prolific career spanning over three decades and encompassing over 300 films, establishing him as a familiar face in Indian cinema. The unfolding investigation will determine the extent of their involvement in this complex financial crime and the consequences they may face.

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) declared the results for the 70th Combined Competitive Exam (CCE) on January 23, 2025. In the hours following the announcement, reactions to the results and the subsequent developments have continued to unfold, with protests, legal challenges, and debates surrounding the exam process showing no sign of abating.

21,581 candidates clear, but tension persists

While 21,581 candidates cleared the preliminary exam, questions remain about the legitimacy of the results. Legal challenges have already been initiated, with petitions filed in the Patna High Court questioning the integrity of the examination process, particularly regarding the status of those who were debarred due to alleged malpractice. The court’s involvement could still alter the final list of successful candidates.

Political impact and ongoing reactions

The protests have also drawn political figures into the fray. Prashant Kishor, leader of the Jan Suraj Party, joined the demonstrations and went on an indefinite hunger strike starting January 2, showing solidarity with the aspirants. His involvement and calls for action have added a political dimension to the controversy, which is now under the scrutiny of Bihar’s government.

Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan recently met with a delegation of aspirants to hear their grievances and assured them that steps would be taken to address their concerns. The Governor also appealed to Prashant Kishor to end his fast, citing health concerns.

Looking ahead: What’s next for the 21,581 pass candidates?

For the candidates who have successfully passed the prelims, the main examination is the next step. However, the future of the recruitment process remains uncertain, with protests, petitions, and public calls for reforms still ongoing. The uncertainty surrounding the exam’s integrity and the lack of clarity on future steps means that the exam’s aftermath will likely continue to dominate discussions.

As the BPSC navigates the fallout from this highly contentious exam, it faces increasing pressure to restore public trust and ensure that future recruitment processes are conducted with the highest standards of fairness and transparency.

In a significant legal development, the Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a petition by the BJP, which had sought a directive for a special sitting of the Delhi Assembly to table several audit reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The court emphasized that while the tabling of such reports is mandatory under the Constitution, there was no compelling need to summon an extraordinary session of the legislative body at this time.

Justice Sachin Datta, who was presiding over the case, observed that there had been a considerable delay on the part of the Delhi government in addressing the matter. However, he clarified that the court was not inclined to compel the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly to call for a special sitting, particularly as the state was heading into elections.

The petition, filed by BJP’s opposition leader Vijender Gupta alongside several other party legislators, including Mohan Singh Bisht, Om Prakash Sharma, and Ajay Kumar Mahawar, among others, had called for the immediate tabling of the CAG audit reports. They argued that the government’s failure to do so had impeded transparency and accountability in the state’s financial governance.

The petitioners, represented by senior advocates Neeraj and Satya Ranjan Swain, claimed that the reports contained critical findings and should be presented before the Assembly at the earliest. In response, the counsel for the Delhi government and the Speaker opposed the plea, arguing that the timing of the request, just before the elections, was politically motivated. They asserted that the delay in tabling the reports did not constitute an immediate or urgent issue.

Justice Datta’s ruling came as a relief to the ruling AAP, which has faced significant political pressure ahead of the upcoming elections. The decision underscores the court’s reluctance to intervene in the procedural workings of the legislature, especially in the run-up to an election, unless there is an explicit violation of constitutional duties.

Despite this setback for the BJP, the court’s comments highlight the constitutional requirement for audit reports to be presented in the Assembly. The issue, while not immediately resolved through judicial intervention, remains a point of contention between the AAP government and the opposition.

As the election date approaches, this ruling adds another layer to the ongoing political battle between the ruling party and its rivals in Delhi.