In Brief
In this criminal appeal, the Supreme Court quashed proceedings against Ankur Gupta for alleged cheating, breach of trust, and criminal intimidation under IPC Sections 406, 420, and 506. The complainant had entered into an agreement to sell property with Gupta's parents, not with Gupta himself. After the transaction allegedly failed, the complainant filed a complaint against Gupta and his parents. The Court held that since Gupta was neither a party to the agreement nor mentioned in the initial complaint or civil suit, the later inclusion of his name appeared malicious and intended to cause hardship. Finding no prima facie case against Gupta and abuse of process, the Court exercised its discretionary power under Section 482 CrPC to quash the proceedings, emphasizing that judicial process must not become an instrument of oppression.
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