Grant of bail on grounds of parity for cyber fraud involving fraudulent bank accounts.

The applicant sought regular bail following his arrest on January 23, 2026, in connection with Crime No. 44/2025.

The prosecution alleged that 104 bank accounts were fraudulently opened at Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Raipur, to receive proceeds from cyber crimes.

The applicant, one of the account holders, was charged under various sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

The applicant contended that a co-accused, Goutam Bharti, had already been granted bail by the High Court in M.Cr.C. No. 10154 of 2023.

Whether the applicant is entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, on the grounds of parity and prolonged detention.

The court applied Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, regarding the High Court's power to grant bail.

It also considered the principle of parity in bail jurisprudence, referencing the previous release of a co-accused in a related matter.

Substantive charges were noted under Sections 111 (Organized Crime), 3(5) (Common Intention), 317(2), 317(4), and 317(5) (Stolen Property/Cheating) of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

The Court evaluated the nature and gravity of the offense alongside the period of the applicant's detention since January 2026.

It noted that the charge-sheet had already been filed, indicating that no further custodial investigation was required.

The Court placed significant weight on the fact that a co-accused, Goutam Bharti, had been granted bail by the same Court in December 2025.

Finding the applicant’s situation comparable and noting that the trial would likely take considerable time, the Court determined that the applicant was entitled to bail on the ground of parity.

The Court allowed the application and directed the release of Harish Kumar Sonkar on bail upon furnishing a personal bond with two sureties, subject to strict conditions including mandatory appearance at trial and personal presence for framing of charges under Section 351 of the BNSS.