MCRC/9870/2026 of SAURABH SAHU Vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH on 14 October 2026

1. This is the second bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 119/2025 registered at Police Station Baikunthpur, District Koriya (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 111, 317(2), 317(4), 317(5) of BNS. Earlier, first bail application i.e. MCRC No. 7816 of 2025 was rejected on merits vide order dated 21.11.2025.

2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that various complainants lodged online complaints with regard to cyber fraud. On the basis of a letter received from the office of the Inspector General of Police, SIV/CCTNS/Cyber Crime, Police Headquarters, Nava Raipur, C.G., legal action was initiated against the account holders of certain mule accounts maintained with the Bank of Maharashtra, Branch Baikunthpur. It is alleged that applicant, Saurabh Sahu, through co-accused Aman Sahu, obtained the passbooks, ATM cards and other documents relating to the bank accounts of co-accused Rajkumar and Satyam Kumar and made said accounts available for receiving proceeds of cyber fraud.

3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the present case. He would submit that there is no direct evidence to establish the involvement of the applicant in alleged cyber fraud and case is primarily based on bank transactions. He would further submit that applicant is in jail since 16.06.2025, and only 6 out of 13 prosecution witnesses have been examined till now. He would further submit that earlier bail application was rejected and a direction was issued by this Court to conclude the trial expeditiously, but till date trial has not been concluded. Therefore, he would pray for grant of bail to the present applicant.

4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State would oppose the bail application and submit that earlier bail application was rejected on merits vide order dated 21.11.2025 and Special Leave Petition (Criminal) Diary No. 19711 of 2026 preferred before the Hon’ble Supreme Court was also rejected vide order dated 24.04.2026. He would further submit that applicant with knowledge of the alleged cyber fraud, provided bank accounts to cyber fraudsters for receiving the proceeds of the crime. He would also submit that there is no change in circumstances and instant application deserves to be rejected.

5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the case diary.

6. Having considered the facts and circumstances of the case, nature and gravity of allegations, and fact that the applicant provided bank accounts to cyber fraudsters for receiving the proceeds of the crime, earlier first bail application i.e., MCRC No. 7816 of 2025 was rejected on merits vide order dated 21.11.2025 and Special Leave Petition (Criminal) Diary No. 19711 of 2026 preferred against the said order was also rejected by the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order dated 24.04.2026, no new ground has been raised and there is no change in circumstances.

7. Considering the nature and gravity of the allegations and in absence of any substantial change in circumstances, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the applicant.

8. Accordingly, instant bail application is hereby rejected. Sd/-

(Rakesh Mohan Pandey) JUDGE $iddhant