The Orissa High Court has quashed a criminal complaint and the summoning order issued against Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, while also penalising a lawyer for repeatedly filing criminal complaints during his 23-year legal battle from a lower court to the Supreme Court over a defective mobile phone worth ₹501.
Prafulla Kumar Mishra, a lawyer, was aggrieved by a defective handset, which he purchased under a telecom scheme “Kar Lo Duniya Mutthi Mein” operated under the Reliance brand by paying ₹501 and undertaking to make monthly payments thereafter. According to him, the handset was defective from the outset and the promised telecom services were never properly available. He wanted initiation of criminal proceedings against Reliance Industries.
On January 27, 2026, the Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM), Panposh, Rourkela had issued summons against Mr. Ambani while adjudicating a case filed by Mr. Mishra in 2025. Reliance Industries Limited challenged the case in the Orissa High Court.
High Court judge Justice Sanjeeb K Panigrahi heard the case pending before the S.D.J.M., Panposh, Rourkela and set aside the summoning order. Reliance Industries chairperson was discharged from any obligation to appear or participate in any further proceedings in the case.
