Court dismisses petitions to quash FIRs, citing prima facie evidence of conspiracy and financial misconduct involving duplicate ISBNs and exorbitant pricing.
In a significant legal development, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, led by Justice B.P. Sharma, dismissed several petitions seeking to quash FIRs against school management, booksellers, and publishers involved in a high-profile criminal conspiracy case. The case revolves around allegations of circulating books with fake or duplicate ISBNs and engaging in monopolistic practices resulting in exorbitant book prices.
The judgment, delivered on April 6, 2026, addressed multiple miscellaneous criminal cases filed by petitioners, including principals and members of private school management committees in Jabalpur. The Court found that the allegations of unauthorized fee hikes and sale of books with duplicate ISBNs constituted a prima facie case warranting prosecution.
Central to the court's decision was the interpretation of the M.P. Niji Vidyalaya (Fees Tatha Sambandhit Vishayon Ka Viniyaman) Adhiniyam, 2017, which regulates school fee enhancements. The Court clarified that while the Act allows for a fee increase of up to 10% without prior permission, it does not impose criminal liability for violations, instead providing for monetary penalties and refunds. Despite this, the High Court emphasized that the allegations extended beyond mere fee hikes, involving serious charges of forgery, cheating, and conspiracy under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The court dismissed the defense's argument that ISBN discrepancies resulted from a misunderstanding or procedural errors, highlighting that the books in question were not available in the open market and were sold at inflated prices through a select group of booksellers. The investigation revealed that these books carried a profit margin of up to 69%, pointing to an organized scheme for financial gain.
Additionally, the Court noted substantial financial irregularities in the school accounts, further supporting the allegations of criminal conspiracy. The investigation uncovered unsubstantiated transfers of large sums to the Jabalpur Diocesan Education Society, raising questions about the financial integrity of the institutions involved.
Despite arguments from the petitioners' counsel that the proceedings were based on insufficient evidence and stemmed from administrative overreach, the Court maintained that the allegations were serious and supported by documentary evidence, seizure materials, and witness statements.
The High Court's decision underscores the judiciary's commitment to addressing educational and financial misconduct, setting a precedent for similar cases. The trial will proceed, with pending investigations against certain publishers still underway.
Bottom line:-
Criminal proceedings initiated against school management, principals, booksellers, and publishers for alleged conspiracy involving circulation of books with fake or duplicate ISBNs and monopolistic practices in violation of statutory provisions upheld by the Court.
Statutory provision(s):
- Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 Section 482
- Indian Penal Code, 1860 Sections 409, 420, 468, 471, 120B
- M.P. Niji Vidyalaya (Fees Tatha Sambandhit Vishayon Ka Viniyaman) Adhiniyam, 2017 Section 5(3)(b) and (c)
