The Allahabad High Court has granted interim protection from arrest to celebrity hairstylist Jawed Habib and his son Anosh Habib in connection with multiple criminal cases alleging a large-scale investment fraud. The bench comprising Justices Siddhartha Varma and Achal Sachdeva issued this order while hearing petitions filed by the two accused, who are facing several First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against them in Sambhal district. The Court directed that no coercive action be taken against them until the investigating authorities complete their probe and file a chargesheet.
The petitions were filed to seek relief from around 32 FIRs lodged at Raeesatti Police Station in Sambhal. These FIRs accuse the duo of duping several investors through a company named Follicle Global Company (FLC). It was alleged that Habib and his son organized a seminar in September 2023 at a venue called Royal Palace in Sarayatain, where they allegedly persuaded around 150 people to invest amounts ranging between ₹2 lakh and ₹20 lakh. The investors were reportedly promised high returns on their investments, with claims that the funds would be utilized for trading in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Binance Coin. However, according to the complainants, no returns were provided, and their principal investments were also not refunded.
The High Court observed that while the allegations are serious and involve multiple victims, the accused should not be subjected to arrest during the ongoing investigation. The Court held that since the investigation was still underway, it would not be appropriate to take coercive measures until the filing of the chargesheet. It clarified that the protection granted was only interim in nature and would remain in effect until the investigation concludes. The bench refrained from expressing any opinion on the merits of the allegations or the defence of the accused, stating that these issues would be considered at the appropriate stage of the proceedings.
The case has drawn considerable public attention given the high profile of the accused and the magnitude of the alleged fraud, which reportedly involves several crores of rupees. The matter also highlights growing concerns about fraudulent investment schemes promoted through influential personalities and the need for stricter financial oversight. The High Court emphasized that while serious offences of cheating and breach of trust must be thoroughly investigated, procedural fairness and personal liberty must also be preserved in accordance with the law.
The Court’s order provides a temporary reprieve to Jawed Habib and his son while directing the investigating agency to proceed expeditiously. The next stage in the proceedings will involve the submission of the chargesheet, after which the Court will consider the petitions seeking quashing of the FIRs. Until then, the interim protection from arrest granted by the Court will remain operative, ensuring that the investigation continues without unnecessary interference or prejudice to either party.
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