Kolkata High Court refuses to quash cheating case against online legal services website

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a woman named Manju Sharma, who alleged that she was duped by people running the website Online Legal India after she approached them through Google for help in reporting a credit card fraud.

In January 2023, he had received a call from someone posing as a bank employee offering him a gift voucher if he activated his Kotak Mahindra credit card. Following the instructions, an unauthorized debit of ₹12,000 was made from his account.

Looking for help, he found Online Legal India and filled a form for help. A representative from the company assured that they could help recover the lost amount.

They advised him not to involve the police and promised to file a first information report (FIR) through their “cyber cell” for a fee of ₹1,179.

Trusting the agent, he paid the amount but no service was provided and FIR was never lodged.

Therefore, the person operating the website filed a complaint against Rajesh Kewat, leading to charges under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.