Chhattisgarh High Court
Criminal Procedure and EvidenceCriminal Law

Bail granted where alleged account and SIM providers had roles distinct from the main accused.

SHARAT @ SHARAD HALDAR vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

Chhattisgarh High CourtJUDGMENT: October 13, 20262 MIN READSOURCE JUDGMENT
Bail granted where alleged account and SIM providers had roles distinct from the main accused.. SHARAT @ SHARAD HALDAR vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH. Chhattisgarh High Court. LawLens
THE ORIGINAL LAWLENS SUMMARY
01

Facts

The applicants sought regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in Crime No. 315/2026, registered for offences under Sections 318(4), 317(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

Source reference: para. 2

The prosecution alleged that ₹95,000 obtained through cyber fraud was transferred into a bank account held by Sharad Haldar, and that the account was linked to a mobile number allegedly provided by Raja Haldar.

Source reference: para. 3

Sharad allegedly handed over his bank passbook and SIM card to co-accused Jai Gupta for ₹2,000; Raja allegedly provided his SIM card and bank account details to Jai Gupta for ₹5,000.

Source reference: para. 3

The applicants stated that they were not beneficiaries of the alleged transactions, had no criminal antecedents, and had been in custody since 28 May 2026; the charge-sheet had been filed and trial was likely to take time.

Source reference: paras. 4–5

The State opposed bail, alleging organised cyber fraud and multiple complaints linked to the account.

Source reference: para. 6
02

Issues

Whether the applicants should be released on regular bail, having regard to their alleged roles, the stage of the investigation, custody, antecedents, and likely duration of trial.

Source reference: paras. 7–9

Whether bail should be refused on the State’s allegation that the applicants were involved in organised cyber fraud and that multiple complaints were linked to the bank account.

Source reference: paras. 6–8
03

Law Applied

The Court considered the application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which provides the procedural basis for seeking regular bail before the High Court or Court of Session.

Source reference: para. 2

In assessing the applications, it considered the applicants’ respective alleged roles, the filing of the charge-sheet, the period spent in custody, their lack of criminal antecedents, and the expected time for conclusion of trial.

Source reference: para. 8

The offences under Sections 318(4), 317(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, were those alleged in the case.

Source reference: para. 2
04

Reasoning

The Court distinguished the applicants’ alleged roles from that of Jai Gupta, described as the alleged main accused: Sharad was alleged to have handed over his account and passbook, while Raja was alleged to have provided his SIM card and bank details.

Source reference: para. 8

It also weighed that the charge-sheet had been filed, the applicants had remained in custody since 28 May 2026, neither had criminal antecedents, and trial was likely to take considerable time.

Source reference: para. 8

On those circumstances, the Court found it appropriate to grant bail notwithstanding the State’s opposition, without expressing any view on the merits.

Source reference: paras. 6, 8
05

Holding

The High Court allowed both bail applications.

It directed that each applicant be released on executing a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one surety for the like amount, to the satisfaction of the trial Court, subject to conditions against influencing persons acquainted with the case, prejudicing a fair and expeditious trial, and failure to attend each date fixed by the trial Court.

Source reference: para. 9
06

Acts & Sections Cited

4 provisions across 2 statutes referred to in this judgment. Each provision opens on LawLens.

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 20231

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 20233

Chhattisgarh High Court

Original Court PDF

SHARAT @ SHARAD HALDARvsSTATE OF CHHATTISGARH

Chhattisgarh High Court · October 13, 2026

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