The Allahabad High Court has granted some relief to the makers of smartphone ‘Freedom 251’ by directing that no coercive steps be taken against the Ringing Bells Pvt Ltd.
The Division Bench of Justice BK Narayan and Justice RN Mishra gave the Respondents the opportunity to file their reply within two weeks and listed the matter for May 18, 2016, as per the statement shared by Ringing Bells Pvt Ltd.
An FIR was registered against the company with the Noida Police last month. The complainant was BJP leader Kirit Somaiya who alleged that the company misguided and cheated the public while advertising its smartphone. The case was registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act.
Also Read: No ‘Freedom’ for Freedom 251? FIR Lodged Against Ringing Bells
The High Court, while hearing the matter at great length, was of the view that the petitioners should be given time to fulfil their commitment and that the FIR seemed premature. During the course of hearing, the court kept on asking the respondents’ lawyers how the offence of Section 420 IPC is being made out but no cogent reply was offered.
The court accordingly ordered that no coercive step should be taken against the petitioners and or their business till the next date of hearing. However, the court has not allowed the petitioner the liberty to move an application for release of the passport.
Also Read: Ringing Bells Granted Interim Relief by Allahabad HC
Advocate Abhishek Vikram, the counsel for Ringing Bells Pvt. Ltd. said that the business model of the company was explained in great detail to the division bench and
a point by point rebuttal was provided for the allegations levelled against the Petitioners in the FIR.
The petitioners have full faith in the judicial process. The company has nothing to hide. The company is open to scrutiny by any government agency. The company remains committed to its promise of delivering the smartphone for Rs. 251 by the end of June 2016.Abhishek Vikram, Counsel for Ringing Bells Pvt Ltd
Keeping this critical aspect in mind, the court has directed that no coercive step should be taken that affects the business of the company.
The company has developed innovative strategies to meet its cost for delivering the smartphone for Rs. 251 to its customers and will do so in the coming months, the company informed.
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