MAHINDER AND OTHERS Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a petition filed under Section 482 Cr.P.C. seeking quashing of FIR no.81 dated 27.03.2011, registered under Section 66-A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, Police Station Sector, 11, Chandigarh.

(2.) The petitioner after completing his education from United Kingdom started working as a freelance software developer. He had purchased five tickets for the World Cup semi final match that was to be played between India and Pakistan at Mohali. An Inspector was browsing Ebay.com and found that five tickets for the cricket match were being sold for chair block entrance Gate No.2, PCA Mohali. The seller had mentioned that he had purchased the tickets for his own use but on account of a wedding in the family, he did not need the tickets and the tickets could be purchased by depositing 1800 pounds for five tickets while a single ticket was available for Rs.30,000/-. The Inspector noted that Mandeep Singh had been luring the public and was reselling the ticket against a higher price than the price fixed by ICC. A DDR was entered and the Inspector instructed Ashok Kumar SI to give an online bid and leave his particulars on the bidding site. The Sub-Inspector gave a bid of Rs.95,000/- and gave his mobile number. The petitioner called back. Ashok Kumar, SI told Mandeep that the price of the ticket was Rs.250/- only but Mandeep insisted that it would be sold for Rs.1,25,000/-. SI Ashok Kumar called Mandeep to Barista Coffee Shop in Sector 11, Chandigarh. The police party was deployed around the coffee shop. A trap was laid and 24 currency notes of Rs.1,000/- were handed over to Ashok Kumar SI for purchasing one ticket. Mandeep entered the coffee shop and contacted Ashok Kumar SI. He told him that five tickets were available for Rs.1,20,000/-. Ashok Kumar SI insisted that he was only wanting to purchase one ticket. After negotiating, the price of one ticket was settled at Rs.24,000/-. The ticket was purchased. After the amount was paid, Ashok Kumar SI gave a signal and the shadow witness came forward and the petitioner was apprehended and the currency notes which were initialled, were recovered and subsequently the FIR was registered.

(3.) The police investigated into the matter and filed the challan under Section 66-A and Section 420 IPC.