Latha Rajinikanth to face trial for fraud, rules Supreme Court

Setting aside a decision of the Karnataka high court to quash criminal proceedings against singer Latha Rajinikanth, the wife of Tamil actor Rajinikanth, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that investigations would be made into the case filed against her by the advertising firm, Ad Bureau. The SC also said that she would be put on trial after a chargesheet was filed.

The Supreme Court’s decision is seen as a setback for Latha, who will now have to stand trial for fraud.

The case pertains to a loan of Rs14.90 crore taken by Mediaone Global Entertainment from Ad Bureau to complete the post-production of the Rajinikanth-starrer Kochadaiiyaan (2014). Latha is a director of Mediaone Global Entertainment and the company is yet to repay Rs6.20 crore.

In this regard, Ad Bureau filed a case against Mediaone Global Entertainment in the Karnataka high court, which quashed criminal proceedings against Latha, stating that this was not a case of fraud, but a breach of agreement.

Ad Bureau then appealed in the Supreme Court against the decision of the Karnataka high court.

In February this year, the Supreme Court said Latha would have to repay the money within a period of three months if Mediaone failed to make the payment to Ad Bureau. Mediaone did not make the payment and Latha, as per her undertaking, had to make the payment. However, she too, at the end of three months, failed to repay Ad Bureau.

Last week, the Supreme Court had expressed its displeasure over the non-repayment of dues and said, “If you don’t pay, then be ready to face trial.”