The HC dismissed the writ petitions and pending applications,...

The HC dismissed the writ petitions and pending applications, refusing to direct a central agency investigation or SFIO involvement. The court found that alleged offences of fraud, cheating and money laundering arose from multiple independent franchise agreements with the respondent company and that FIRs and chargesheets have been registered by State Police in various States. Clubbing the matters was held likely to delay individual complainants' investigations; jurisdictional remedy lies before the respective High Courts or competent State courts. The HC noted ED has commenced PMLA inquiries and concluded no exceptional grounds existed to order SFIO or CBI takeover; consequently no further directions were granted.

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