'Even Instagram Stories are better than this FIR': Apex Court quashes Extortion FIR against Former Zee Channel head, says Criminal Law can’t run on “Sweeping Allegations”

The Supreme Court has quashed an FIR lodged against Ashish Dave, former channel head of Zee Rajasthan and Zee 24 Ghanta, in an alleged extortion case, sharply criticising the complaint as vague and legally unsustainable. The Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta held that the criminal process cannot be triggered on the basis of sweeping and unparticularised accusations, delivering a stern message against mechanical registration of FIRs.

The case stemmed from an FIR registered in Jaipur following a complaint by Zee Media alleging that Dave had extorted money by threatening negative news coverage and airing adverse content without authorisation. Dave moved the Rajasthan High Court seeking quashing of the case, but the Jaipur Bench declined relief in November 2025, observing that witness statements on record indicated possible cognisable offences warranting investigation.

Challenging this refusal, Dave approached the Apex Court, contending that the FIR lacked specific details, clear instances of extortion, or foundational facts necessary to sustain criminal proceedings.

The Apex Court found the complaint deficient on its face, holding that it failed to disclose essential ingredients of the alleged offences. Expressing strong disapproval, the Bench remarked, “This FIR contains nothing… Such FIRs cannot be allowed,” and went on to observe, “Even Instagram stories are better than this FIR.”

The Court questioned the manner in which the police acted on the complaint and concluded that allowing the investigation to proceed would amount to misuse of criminal law. The FIR and all consequent proceedings were accordingly set aside.

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