Bombay HC Imposes ₹5 Lakh Costs On Former Employee Over ‘Vexatious’ Complaint Against Court Officers

Mumbai, October 17, 2026: The Bombay High Court has imposed a hefty fine of Rs 5 lakh on a former company employee for filing a "vexatious" complaint against court officials and a forensic agency. Justice Arif Doctor dismissed Arun Kumar Arjunan's appeal to overturn an interim order appointing a Court Receiver and forensic agency AKS IT Services to clone his electronic devices and perform a forensic analysis.

The matter stemmed from accusations that Arjunan had leaked confidential corporate data while working at Avanse Financial Services Ltd. The forensic audit team investigated between May 26 and May 29, 2026. Afterward, Arjunan filed a police complaint alleging illegal detention, communication blackouts, starvation, mental torture, manipulation of forensic evidence, and criminal conspiracy, alleging collusion between the team and the company to harass him.

He also claimed his right to privacy was violated when he was asked to disclose passwords and answer the Court Receiver's questions. The High Court dismissed his plea, stating there was no merit to his arguments and that the application should be evaluated based on its substance, not its title or the legal provisions cited. Justice Doctor noted that Arjunan should have first sought redress from the court if he genuinely had grievances against the Court Receiver or the forensic auditor.

The court deemed his complaint as "vengeance" and directed him to pay Rs 2.5 lakh to two welfare funds within eight weeks, with 8% interest on any default.