Ringing Bells, the maker of what the company claims is the world’s cheapest smartphone — Freedom 251, has hit the news for the wrong reasons yet again. According to reports, an FIR has been registered by the Noida police against the top officials of Ringing Bells.
Ibnlive.com reports that a case was filed under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code on a complaint filed by Kirit Somaiya, BJP MP from Mumbai North-East. The report adds that the FIR was filed at Noida Phase 3 police station on Tuesday against the company promoter Mohit Goel and president Ashok Chaddha. The complaint mentions that Ringing Bells raised funds by issuing misleading ads and used social media to misguide the public.
News site Mail Today, which claims it has a copy of the complaint, says that the MP accused the company of abusing the Tricolour too in the advertisements to misguide the buyers. Mohit Goel, director of Ringing Bells Pvt. Ltd said to the news site: “We remain committed to cooperate with any government agency that may require to inquire our organisation for any reason or suspicion. I do maintain that we will deliver the most affordable quality products to our customers through our various range of smart phones including the Freedom 251.”
Police sources also revealed to CNN-IBN that they have asked company officials to show them manufacturing units where the Freedom 251 mobiles were being manufactured or assembled. They add that police teams will visit these units, if they actually do exist. Police have also asked for company officials to submit essential documents.