The Solomon James writ 383 petition saw its latest hearing yesterday. The specific order remains unpublished, but proceedings appear to hinge on criminal investigations underway by various government agencies. Discussions at the hearing notably bypassed any mention of exit options or subscription refunds for Speak Asia panelists.
Navniit Kkhosla became a central figure in the Speak Asia controversy. Senior panelists within the company often blamed him for the "problems" Speak Asia faced. Kkhosla's initial First Information Report (FIR) reportedly formed the basis of the Economic Offenses Wing's (EOW) entire investigation. Many believed the investigation would cease if he withdrew his FIR.
Kkhosla, then 59 years old, refused to back down. He did not accept that a writ petition naming 115 panelists seeking refunds covered everyone. He had invested his company's funds into Speak Asia on February 23, 2011, and March 3, 2011, and fought the company since then.
His struggle began when his upline sidelined him for demanding proper hard copy invoices for tax records. Kkhosla sent requests to Tarak, Dandekar, Kulshreshth, and his entire upline, including Dipankar Sarkar. Only after he threatened legal action did Speak Asia Online (SAOL) pay 54 crore in service tax. Dipankar Sarkar and Rajesh Enterprises then issued the invoices.
Kkhosla described the emotional toll as immense. "It was very hard emotionally," he stated, "particularly when so much money was lying invested and recovery of my investment through payment of surveys was totally at the whim of a non-resident company with no base to drag to any authorities. I died a hundred times in the process." Well-wishers considered him foolish for investing so much. When he offered to quit the online survey scheme, he was met with blunt refusals: "no way" and "You are alone. What can you do?"
On the night of May 11, 2011, Kkhosla informed his Director that their investment was stuck and anticipated a long fight to recover the funds.