MCRC/9393/2026 of AJAY KUMAR DESHMUKH Vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH on 14 October 2026

1. These are the first bail applications filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, for grant of regular bail to the applicants who have been arrested in connection with Crime No.306/2026 registered at Police Station- Newai, District- Durg (C.G.). for the offence punishable under Sections 318(2), 318(3), 318(4) and Section 3(5) of the B.N.S.

2. The prosecution case, in brief, is that, upon scrutiny, certain bank accounts were allegedly identified as “Layer-1/Mule Accounts” through the Coordination Portal. It was also found that certain amounts allegedly linked to cyber fraud were credited to various bank accounts and subsequently transferred to other accounts. The FIR was registered against several account holders on the allegation that their accounts were used for receiving, concealing and transferring the alleged proceeds of cyber fraud. The applicants have been arrayed as accused on the allegation that their bank accounts were allegedly used in connection with the aforesaid transactions. However, there is no specific allegation in the FIR indicating that the applicants committed any cyber fraud, induced any victim, participated in any fraudulent transaction, or personally obtained any wrongful gain from the alleged transactions.

3. Learned counsel for the applicants submits that the applicants are innocent and have been falsely implicated in the present case. He further submits that the bail application of co-accused Bhagwat Prasad

Shukla was earlier rejected by this Court. However, he preferred SLP (Crl.) No. 20364/2025 before the Hon'ble Supreme Court, which granted him bail vide order dated 16.01.2026. It is further submitted that co-accused Ayush Pandey and Rajendra Kumar Puran have already been granted bail by this Court in MCRC No. 1586/2026, vide order dated 13.02.2026, and MCRC No. 2103/2026, vide order dated 03.03.2026, respectively. Recently, co-accused Narendra Kumar Sahu was also granted bail by this Court in MCRC No. 7144/2026, vide order dated 15.09.2026. The applicants have been in jail since 24.07.2026, and the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time. Therefore, on the grounds of parity and prolonged detention, learned counsel prays for grant of bail to the applicants.

4. On the other hand, learned State counsel appearing for the State/non-applicant submits that the charge-sheet has not been filed before the competent Court and that the trial is currently in progress. He concurs with the submission made on behalf of the applicants to the extent that the principle of parity may be considered. However, he contends that the serious nature of the offences, the ongoing investigation and the possibility of the applicants influencing witnesses weigh against the grant of bail at this stage.

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, particularly the fact that the bail application of co-accused Bhagwat Prasad Shukla was earlier rejected by this Court, but he was subsequently granted bail by the Hon'ble Supreme Court vide order

dated 16.01.2026 passed in SLP (Crl.) No. 20364/2025; that co- accused Ayush Pandey and Rajendra Kumar Puran were granted bail by this Court in MCRC No. 1586/2026, vide order dated 13.02.2026, and MCRC No. 2103/2026, vide order dated 03.03.2026, respectively; and that co-accused Narendra Kumar Sahu was also granted bail by this Court in MCRC No. 7144/2026, vide order dated 15.09.2026, I find that the applicants have been in judicial custody since 24.07.2026 and have no criminal antecedents. Furthermore, the conclusion of the trial is likely to take considerable time. Accordingly, without commenting further on the merits of the case, I am inclined to grant bail to the applicants in both cases.

7. It is directed that in the event of the applicants executing a personal bond for a sum of Rs.50,000/- with one surety in the like sum to the satisfaction of the concerned Trial Court, they shall be released on bail, on following conditions :- I. They shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/her from disclosing such fact to the Court;

II. They shall not act in any manner which will be prejudicial to a fair and expeditious trial;

III. They shall appear before the trial Court on each and every date given to them by the said Court till the disposal of the trial; and,

IV. They shall not involve themselves in any offence of a similar nature in future.

The observation made in the course of this order is only for considering the case of the applicants on the applications for the grant of regular bail. The concerned trial Court shall not be influenced or bound by any observation made in the course of this order. Sd/-

(Rakesh Mohan Pandey)

Judge Nimmi