Ruled in favour of Vikas Bhardwaj and Madhukeshwar Manunath Hegde (Petitioners / Accused)
In Short
Two men were accused of submitting fake performance certificates to win a government equipment supply tender back in 2004 to 2006. Even though the investigating agency filed closure reports multiple times due to a lack of solid proof and missing original documents, the lower court still ordered a trial. The High Court stepped in, pointed out that the claims were built on shaky ground with no proof of actual harm or clear handwriting matches, and threw out the criminal case.
The Parties
Party A: Vikas Bhardwaj and Madhukeshwar Manunath Hegde
Party B: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
Advocates & Judges
For Party A: Learned Advocate Mr. Sushil Kumar Dubey, Learned Advocate Mr. Sanjay Kumar
For Party B: Learned Advocate Mr. Akhilesh along with Learned Advocate Ms. Anchal Kashyap
Judge(s): Hon'ble Justice Madhu Jain
What the Case Was About
Back between 2004 and 2006, a company named M/s Systronics won a tender to supply six Flame Photometers for a government health project. Years later, a complaint was filed claiming that the company had submitted eight fake performance certificates along with its bid to look better on paper. The CBI investigated the matter and found that while the equipment was indeed delivered and worked fine with no complaints, the eight specific client certificates attached to the bid were not actually issued by those clients.
Two people connected to the company—Vikas Bhardwaj, who was a liaison agent, and Madhukeshwar Manunath Hegde, who was the branch manager—became targets of the investigation. Interestingly, the CBI itself tried to close the case multiple times because they could not find the original documents, handwriting experts could not confirm whose signatures were on the papers, and there was no financial loss to the government since the company was the lowest bidder and delivered quality goods. Despite the investigating agency wanting to drop the case, a lower court insisted on framing charges, forcing the accused to approach the High Court for relief.
Judgment Date
22.09.2026
The Outcome
The High Court ruled in favour of the petitioners and quashed the criminal proceedings against them. The court found that keeping the case alive would be an unfair abuse of the legal process.
What the Court Looked At
- The court noted that the original performance certificates were never recovered during the entire investigation.
- Handwriting experts could not give a clear, definite opinion linking the disputed signatures to Madhukeshwar Manunath Hegde.
- Forensic checks on office computers and typewriters failed to conclusively prove who typed or printed the contested papers.
- The investigating agency filed closure reports multiple times stating there was not enough concrete evidence to link the accused to a criminal conspiracy.
- It was undisputed that the company actually supplied the equipment, the equipment worked properly, and the government suffered zero financial loss.
- Witnesses confirmed they had indeed purchased the equipment from the company, meaning the past supply claims were factually true even if the paperwork was disputed.
"At the initial stage if there is a suspicion which leads the Court to think that there is ground for presuming that the accused has committed an offence then it is not open to the Court to say that there is no sufficient ground for proceeding against the accused."
What This Means For You
This case shows that being dragged into a criminal investigation based on missing paperwork and weak links can turn your life upside down for over a decade. The accused had to live under a cloud of suspicion for sixteen years despite the investigating agency itself trying to close the case due to a lack of hard evidence. If you or someone you know is facing a criminal case where the core documents are missing and the official investigation cannot find proof of real harm or cheating, you do not have to just accept it. Setback Solutions is here to help you understand your options and coordinate your next steps with clear, plain-language guidance so you can navigate a stressful legal mess without feeling lost.
You Still Have Options
If you are facing a false FIR or struggling with a criminal case that feels dragged out and unfair, it can feel like nobody is listening. You might be wondering what your next move should be after a lower court ruling went against you, or how to get a fresh perspective on your legal papers. It is never too late to explore a second opinion, look at your choices with fresh eyes, or get non-judicial guidance on how to manage the chaos. Reach out to Setback Solutions today to get plain-language help and coordination for your next step, keeping in mind that Setback Solutions is not a law firm, does not provide legal advice, and does not promise any specific court outcome.