Introduction
Significantly, the Supreme Court’s ruling links the liability of digital platforms to criminal law. In this context, the Court issued an interim stay of the criminal proceedings against Anupam Mittal, the CEO of Shaadi.com, one of the larger marriage services in India. Mittal was charged with criminal breach of trust and extortion, which stemmed from a complaint made by a woman from Hyderabad, who was allegedly defrauded and then blackmailed by a man she met on Shaadi.com, which eventually led to Mittal being named in an FIR – which raises profound issue about the liability of digital intermediaries who’s services are allegedly misused by users to further their own personal agenda for gain. Based on the Supreme Court ruling, Mittal gets some solace, but more importantly, the decision opens a significant discussion regarding the liability of tech companies and their owners or founders ex-post for wrongful acts of third parties.
Background of the Case
The complainant claimed that she was swindled of over ₹10 lakh by a person whom she met on Shaadi.com, who was posing as a potential groom. After some time and trust together, the man took money from her on different pretexts, and when asked about it, allegedly threatened to disclose morphed images of her.
Originally, the FIR named just the man. However, as the investigation progressed, Anupam Mittal was added as an accused as well just for the police to prove that Shaadi.com didn’t take enough precautions to verify the identity of the man and be misused.
Legal Proceedings So Far
Mittal, after being added to the FIR, sought to quash the proceedings in the Telangana High Court. The Telangana High Court refused to quash the case, and said that as the alleged offences carried punishments of below seven years, a complete investigation could be conducted without being arrested first. Mittal then moved the Supreme Court, which was heard by a bench of Justices Sandeep Mehta and Joymalya Bagchi. On June 25, 2025, the Supreme Court put an interim stay on the investigation and proceedings pending a detailed response from the Telangana police.
Arguments by Mittal and His Legal Team
In court, Atmaram Nadkarni and Gaurav Agarwal, senior advocates, opposed Mittal’s inclusion in the FIR, arguing:
– Limited Verification Disclosure. The user profile of the accused stated that he was verified only by way of mobile OTP, with no separately required upload of Aadhaar or government ID.
– Platform Warning. A plaintiff willingly moved the conversation off the platform. Shaadi.com had visibly warned the user not to share financial or personal information with any other users.
– Third-Party Intermediary Role. Mittal argued that Shaadi.com was like matrimonial classifieds in newspapers, and that the platform simply fostered communication between users, and that there was no criminal responsibility for the actions of users on the platform.
– Abuse of Process. The petition on behalf of Mittal argued that to suggest that the founder of the site was “an attempt to misuse the process of law” and was harassment.
Supreme Court’s Observations and Order
The Supreme Court, aware of the tension between platform responsibility and due process of law,:
•Stayed criminal proceedings against Mittal until further notice.
•Issued notice to the State of Telangana to furnish a reply explaining the basis for naming Mittal in the FIR.
•It reserved judgment awaiting further submissions from both parties.
The Court’s restraint reveals circumspection in making a decision that might create precedent affecting the digital start-up community, where platforms provide access to millions of users, whose individual behavior is difficult to control.
Wider Implications for Intermediary Liability
This issue raises a significant issue in India’s growing cyberlaw scene: how liable should platforms be for their users’ misuse? Particularly where there is no negligence or profit.
Digital platforms such as matrimonial sites, social media apps and e-commerce portals could see increased criminal liability at the level of individual misuse, potentially leading to FIRs at the company level If individual acts of a user’s misconduct give rise to criminal complaints against the company. Legal scholars caution that if platform liability is used and interpreted broadly it could restrain and inhibit innovation and shut down online services that depend on some manner of user discretionary activity.
Conclusion
The interim stay issued by the Supreme Court in Anupam Mittal v. State of Telangana presents an important watershed issue in relation to online intermediaries in India. While it is extremely important to protect victims from the violation of their right to access justice, it is equally important to protect the principle of fair responsibility. When the Court comes to a final decision in this case, it will undoubtedly set a precedent for what a digital platform is liable for, in relation to an independent user who operates it.
As the merit hearing of this issue develops, it will now be closely followed by lawyers, technology companies, policy makers, and advocates around digital rights, all with an interest in determining the course of digital governance in India.
About the Author
Vidhupriya Sharma is a second-year BA.LLB student at KIIT School of Law, Bhubaneswar, with a strong academic grounding and growing expertise in the field of law. As an aspiring legal professional, she has a deep interest in corporate and business law, driven by the dynamic interplay between legal frameworks and the evolving global economy. Vidhupriya’s writing reflects a passion for simplifying complex legal concepts and making them accessible to a wider audience—students, professionals, and curious minds alike. Her academic background is complemented by an inquisitive approach to legal research, especially in the areas of mergers & acquisitions, company law, compliance, and financial regulation. When not immersed in case law or legal debates, she enjoys contributing to law journals, participating in moot courts, and engaging in discussions around contemporary legal issues that shape the business world. Vidhupriya is determined to build a career that bridges academic insight with practical corporate legal practice