By Startup Story Team
Case Background:
The Supreme Court of India has put a temporary stay on the criminal proceedings filed against Anupam Mittal, the founder and CEO of Shaadi.com. The case came into the spotlight after a Hyderabad-based woman accused the matchmaking platform of negligence that allegedly led to her being cheated by a man she met on the site.
Details of the Alleged Fraud:
The man, identified as Cherukuri Harsha (alias Jogada Vamsikrishna), allegedly created a fake profile on Shaadi.com using a photo of a politician. Posing as a genuine groom, he managed to win the woman’s trust. Over time, he convinced her to transfer ₹10 lakh to him, citing false emergencies like frozen bank accounts.
When the woman later demanded her money back, the accused reportedly threatened her by saying he would morph and circulate her photos online unless she gave him more money. Feeling trapped, the woman lodged a complaint with the local police.
Shaadi.com Named for Negligence:
Although Anupam Mittal was not mentioned in the original complaint, he was added as an accused during the police investigation. The woman claimed that Shaadi.com had failed to verify the identity of the accused properly, which allowed the fraud to take place. Since the platform offers paid premium services like “Select Shaadi,” the complainant argued that the company had a responsibility to ensure user verification.
Arguments by Anupam Mittal’s Legal Team:
In court, Mittal’s legal team presented key points in his defence. They highlighted that the accused had verified his account only through a mobile OTP and had not uploaded any government-issued ID proof, a fact that was visible on his profile. The team also stated that the complainant chose to communicate and conduct financial transactions with the accused outside the platform, in violation of Shaadi.com’s stated safety guidelines.
Legal Developments:
Earlier, the Telangana High Court had allowed the police to continue their investigation and instructed Shaadi.com to cooperate. However, in a recent development, the Supreme Court bench—comprising Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Joymalya Bagchi—has stayed all further proceedings in the case and has asked the Telangana Police to submit a formal response.
About Shaadi.com:
Shaadi.com, originally launched as Sagaai.com in 1997 by Anupam Mittal, is one of India’s earliest and most prominent online matrimonial platforms. The company operates from its headquarters in Mumbai and serves users not only in India but also in countries like the UK, UAE, Canada, and the US. Some of its major investors include WestBridge, Saama Capital, Intel Capital, and InnoVen Capital.
Other Legal Challenges:
Apart from this case, Shaadi.com has also been involved in another legal dispute with WestBridge Capital. The conflict is reportedly related to Shaadi.com’s failure to repurchase WestBridge’s investment stake as agreed.
