Karnataka High Court Quashes Cheating FIR Against WinZo After Woman Alleged Misuse Of PAN Card On Gaming App

The Karnataka High Court on Saturday (February 21) quashed a 2024 FIR registered against online gaming company WinZo Games Private Limited booked in an FIR wherein a woman has alleged that her Pan Card details were stolen and misused on WinZo's gaming app.

While pronouncing the order Justice M Nagaprasanna said:

"Allowed, quashed. It is made clear that the quashment of proceedings in impugned crime will not come in the way of any other accused nor any other crime pending".

A detailed copy of the order is awaited. 

The complainant, had alleged that the details of her pan card is stolen and misused on the petitioner's (accused no. 2) gaming Apps. The complaint was registered on 04.07.2024. The complaint is filed against accused No.1, who is said to be involved in such pan theft and using them in the gaming platform of the petitioner.

The counsel for petitioner had argued that after finding out about the alleged theft, the petitioner communicated to the complainant to register a complaint as it is a serious matter. Thereafter the FIR was registered and the petitioner who is stated to have cautioned the complainant was booked in the FIR registered under IPC Section 420 (cheating) and Sections 66(c) and (d) of the Information Technology Act. 

In November 2024 the high court had stayed the investigation. 

Thereafter in January, the high court had directed WinZo to appear before the jurisdictional police station to record its statement in the case. 

Case title: WINZO GAMES PRIVATE LIMITED v/s STATE OF KARNATAKA

CRL.P 10707/2024