Krafton India Pvt. Ltd., the company behind Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), is facing legal issues. A citizen from Maharashtra has filed an FIR, accusing the company of violating privacy agreements and illegally selling user data. The Bombay High Court is set to hear the case on April 15, 2025.
Allegations of Selling User Data
On September 5, 2024, Santosh Torane filed an FIR at Akluj Police Station, accusing Krafton India and four executives — WooYol Lim, Jitendra Bansal, Yoonal Soni, and Wooyol Shalom — of breaching a service agreement signed on August 2, 2021. Santosh Torane, the complainant, alleges that the company violated the confidentiality clause and sold user data for Rs 2,000 per subscriber through platforms like Telegram.
The charges against them include criminal conspiracy (IPC 120-B), cheating (IPC 420), and offenses under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (Sections 72, 72A, and 85). These accusations raise serious concerns about how companies handle and protect sensitive user data.
Magistrate Steps In After Police Inaction
Torane claims that despite reporting the issue to both the Akluj Police Station and the Solapur Superintendent of Police in November 2023, they took no action. Due to this inaction, Torane approached the judiciary. On August 28, 2024, the Judicial Magistrate First Class of Malshiras ordered a complete investigation under Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The Magistrate emphasized the importance of conducting a formal inquiry to hold those responsible accountable.
Krafton Fights Back in Court
Krafton India is not backing down. The company has filed two writ petitions (Nos. 4806 and 5342/2024) in the Bombay High Court, seeking to have the FIR dismissed and stop the investigation. Represented by senior lawyers from Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., Krafton argues that the allegations are baseless and has requested interim relief.
A bench of Justice Sarang V. Kotwal and Justice Dr. Neela Gokhale has combined both petitions and issued notices to the relevant parties. All interim orders will remain in effect until the next hearing on April 15, 2025.
A Key Moment for India’s Data Protection Laws
Although this case primarily deals with a contract dispute, its outcome could have broader consequences, according to TalkEsport. With India’s tech industry facing increasing scrutiny over data misuse, this case emphasizes the need for clear data protection policies and effective enforcement.
For Torane, this fight is personal, but it could have national consequences. His determination to pursue the case, despite initial delays, highlights systemic issues in reporting cybercrimes in India.
Whether the allegations prove true or get dismissed, one thing is clear: this case highlights how Indian law handles privacy violations, especially when large tech companies with millions of users are involved.