PRASADAM RAGHU Vs. STATE OF TELANGANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Criminal Petition is filed by the petitioners/accused Nos.2 and 4 under Sec. 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short 'Cr.P.C.') to quash the proceedings against them in C.C.No.20976 of 2019 pending on the file of IIIAdditional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Nampally, Hyderabad. The allegations leveled against the petitioners are under Ss. 354 (A) (ii) and 509 of Indian Penal Code (for short 'I.P.C').

(2.) The facts of the case are that the 1st petitioner is an Assistant Vice President, PRO of Star India Private Limited (Star Maa Division) which is a leading broadcaster in India and is the exclusive licensee of media rights to various sporting events. The company along with its affiliated companies owns a network of about 65 TV channels in eight languages. The 2nd petitioner is the Vice President, Programming Department of Star India Private Limited (Star Maa Division).

(3.) The 2nd respondent/defacto complainant gave a complaint on 13/7/2019 stating that one Ravikanth (A.1) called her in March, 2019 and informed her that she had been selected in Big Boss-3 show. Upon enquiry, as to how they got her number, she was informed that she has been a trending star on social media in recent times, as such, she was selected. Thereafter, A.1 met 2nd respondent at News Republic TV in the month of March, where, he explained the details of game and later on, the 2nd respondent met A.1, Abhishek (A.3) at Baskin Robins, Banjara Hills, where they discussed further details and also met 1st petitioner at Mint Leaf Restaurant at Srinagar Colony. The 1st petitioner who is a coordinator discussed about the rules and regulations of the show and also informed that the show would go on for 90 days staring from 21st of July. Thereafter, the 2nd respondent and 1st petitioner met two to three times and in the fourth meeting, apart from Raghu, the HR Manager of Star Maa was also present where they discussed about remuneration and the 2nd respondent was made to sign on bond papers and due to her prior commitments, she skimmed through the said papers and she was informed that she would be given papers in due course. Later the 2nd respondent was informed that she was selected for the Big Boss show and she should not take up any projects for a period of three months.