Bail denied where manipulated identity documents and seized materials link accused to an organised cyber-fraud network.

In brief

The question

Whether the applicant was entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the BNSS in view of the allegations of involvement in an organised cyber-fraud network?

The court held

The Court held that the applicant was not entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the BNSS, principally because of the alleged use of manipulated identity documents, the suspected connection of the bank accounts with an organised cyber-fraud network, and the incriminating articles seized during investigation.

It also directed

The first bail application of Moti Singh in Crime No. 712/2026 was accordingly rejected.

01Facts

The applicant sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (“BNSS”) in connection with Crime No. 712/2026 registered at Police Station Supela, District Durg, for offences under Sections 318(2), 318(4) and 112(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (“BNS”).

¶ 1

The prosecution alleged that ₹20,00,000 was transferred from the complainant’s bank account to an account described as “REEJA OLA UBER VENDOR” and thereafter routed through multiple accounts to conceal the source of the funds.

¶ 2

The complainant reported the alleged cyber fraud on 22 May 2026.

¶ 2

During investigation, the applicant was arrayed as an accused in an alleged organised cyber-fraud network.

¶ 2

Cash of ₹10,000, a Samsung mobile phone, three cheque books, four debit cards, identity-document copies and twelve passport-size photographs were seized from his possession.

¶ 2

The applicant claimed false implication, denied direct involvement, asserted that his bank account was not used in the transaction, and relied on his custody since 27 May 2026 and the filing of the charge-sheet.

¶ 3

The State opposed bail, alleging that the applicant had used manipulated Aadhaar Cards to open accounts in four banks which were connected with the alleged offence.

¶ 4

02Issues

i.Whether the applicant was entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the BNSS in view of the allegations of involvement in an organised cyber-fraud network?

¶ 1, 4, 6

ii.Whether the alleged use of manipulated Aadhaar Cards and the seizure of incriminating articles from the applicant justified denial of bail despite the applicant’s custody and filing of the charge-sheet?

¶ 3–6

03Law Applied

The Court applied Section 483 of the BNSS, which governs the High Court’s power to grant regular bail, and considered the offences alleged under Sections 318(2), 318(4) and 112(2) of the BNS.

¶ 1

In determining bail, the Court assessed the nature and gravity of the alleged offences, the material collected during investigation, the applicant’s alleged connection with the organised cyber-fraud network, and the incriminating articles seized from his possession.

¶ 4–6

Provisions in the judgment · 3 · Linked ones open on LawLens

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 Section 483

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Section 318 Section 112

04Reasoning

The Court accepted that the bail determination required consideration of the allegations and the investigation material rather than the applicant’s bare denial of involvement.

¶ 3–6

Although the applicant relied on his period of custody and the filing of the charge-sheet, the Court gave particular weight to the allegation that he had used manipulated Aadhaar Cards to open accounts in four different banks allegedly connected with the cyber-fraud network, as well as the seizure of multiple cheque books, debit cards, identity documents and photographs from his possession.

¶ 3–6

Considering the nature and gravity of the alleged offences and the material collected by the investigating agency, the Court found no sufficient ground to exercise its discretion in favour of bail.

¶ 6