Even Instagram stories are better than this FIR: Supreme Court quashes extortion case against former Zee official

The Supreme Court on Friday quashed a First Information Report (FIR) registered against Ashish Dave, former channel head of Zee Rajasthan and Zee 24 Ghanta, in an alleged extortion case.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta held that the complaint was vague, lacked specific allegations and did not warrant a criminal investigation.

The Court strongly criticised the manner in which the FIR was registered, holding it as vague and lacking key details.

“This FIR contains nothing. Simply because the complainant is an influential agency, FIR was registered. What is this FIR? Such FIRs cannot be allowed. If a common citizen went to the police station, he would be thrown out for such allegations. We are shocked in the manner in which the FIR has been registered,” the Court observed.

The Court went on to state,

"Even Instagram stories are better than this FIR."

The Court further questioned the role of the police, stating,

"Police is influenced by people like the complainant. What stopped you from writing murder also in the FIR? Police opened red carpets for your client (Zee media). Is this a James Bond movie?"

The case arose from an FIR lodged in Jaipur on a complaint by Zee Media alleging that Ashish Dave had extorted money from various individuals and entities by threatening negative news coverage.

The company claimed that as a result of these threats, adverse content was broadcasted and circulated on its channels and digital platforms without authorisation.

Dave had approached the Rajasthan High Court seeking to have the FIR against him quashed.

However, in November 2025, the Jaipur Bench of the High Court refused relief, holding that the allegations disclosed a cognizable offence and warranted investigation.

The High Court had noted that statements from several witnesses were on record, with some accusing Dave of demanding and receiving money under the threat of broadcasting negative news. It held that at that stage, the allegations could not be dismissed as improbable or motivated and that the matter required further investigation.

The Supreme Court has now set aside the proceedings, holding that the FIR lacked the necessary material to justify continuing the criminal case.