Noida Police have registered an FIR against mobile manufacturer Ringing Bells, the company behind the world's cheapest smartphone Freedom 251. The case has been registered based on a complaint by BJP MP Kirit Somaiya. Police have booked company promoter Mohit Goel and president Ashok Chaddha under IPC Section 420 and others. The charges against them include cheating, forgery and misleading the common men, small investors and people of India by campaign of its product Freedom 251 smartphone.

Ringing Bells had circulated a smartphone which was supposed to be their device, but it turned out to be a re-branded Adcom manufactured phone. Later the company clarified that the device was a proto-type and the original device was on its way.

Even though Ringing Bells had claimed that the phones will be manufactured in India under Make in India, later it was changed to "we will import the first batch from China".

Following the controversy the company had offered a refund on the pre-orders it had received.

Government had also taken note of the developments and warned of strict action if the company failed on its promises.