In Brief
A complainant filed a private complaint alleging that companies and their executives conspired to demolish a boundary wall, cut down trees, and lay a water pipeline on his property without permission, causing damages exceeding Rs 27 lakhs. The trial Magistrate issued summons against 13 accused persons. The Sessions Court quashed the order against 8 accused (the companies and their directors/executives). The Supreme Court upheld this decision, holding that corporate executives cannot be automatically held vicariously liable; there must be specific allegations of their individual criminal role, not mere assertions of conspiracy.
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