Regular bail granted on parity principle following charge-sheet filing.

The applicant was arrested on February 18, 2025, in connection with Crime No. 44/2025 for allegedly acting as a "mule" bank account holder/facilitator in a cyber fraud scheme

According to the prosecution, the "Samanvay" Portal revealed that Rs. 36,48,448, obtained through fraudulent means, was deposited into 104 bank accounts between January and December 2024

The applicant was accused of knowingly allowing his account to be used for concealing and utilizing these proceeds

A first information report (FIR) was lodged by the Range Cyber Thana, Raipur, and a charge sheet has since been filed

The applicant sought regular bail primarily on the grounds of parity with co-accused individuals who had already been released

1. Whether the applicant is entitled to regular bail under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, based on the principle of parity and the current stage of the trial

The court primarily applied Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), regarding the grant of regular bail

It invoked the Principle of Parity, referencing the Supreme Court’s order in Harmeet Singh @ Yashmit v. State (Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No. 15006/2025) and the High Court’s previous order in Om Arya v. State (MCRC No. 9388/2025), where similarly situated co-accused were granted bail

The court also considered procedural requirements under Sections 84, 209, 269, and 351 of the BNSS and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to ensure the applicant’s participation in the trial

The court analyzed the circumstances of the applicant’s detention alongside the progress of the legal proceedings.

It noted that the applicant had been in custody since February 18, 2025, and that the investigation was effectively complete as the charge sheet had been filed

The court emphasized that two other co-accused, Harmeet Singh and Om Arya, who faced similar allegations, had been granted bail by the Supreme Court and the High Court, respectively

Relying on the principle of parity and observing that the conclusion of the trial would likely take considerable time, the court determined that further incarceration was unnecessary

The court clarified that this grant of bail was made without commenting on the underlying merits of the case

The holding clarified that the applicant is entitled to bail on the grounds of parity and the filing of the charge sheet

The release is subject to several conditions: (i) the applicant must not seek adjournments when witnesses are present; (ii) he must appear at every hearing or face proceedings under Section 269 of the BNS; (iii) failure to appear after a proclamation under Section 84 of the BNSS will trigger proceedings under Section 209 of the BNS; and (iv) he must be personally present for the opening of the case, framing of charges, and recording of statements under Section 351 of the BNSS