Karnataka HC quashes FIR against Winzo in Pan misuse case

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has quashed an FIR registered against erswtwhile real money gaming startup Winzo in a case involving alleged misuse of a woman’s PAN card on its platform, holding that no offence was made out against the company.

In its February 21 order, reviewed by TOI, Justice M. Nagaprasanna set aside the FIR registered by the Central CEN Police Station against the company in the matter.

The complainant had alleged that her PAN details were leaked on Scribd and misused by unidentified individuals on gaming apps, including Winzo. The court recorded that she had not alleged that Winzo was the perpetrator.

Holding that the ingredients of cheating were not satisfied and that no dishonest intention could be attributed to the company, the court quashed the FIR against Winzo, while clarifying that proceedings may continue against other accused. The FIR was among those cited by the Enforcement Directorate as predicate offences in its investigation against Winzo.