MCRC/8602/2026 of PRATEEK KUMAR VIDHVANI Vs STATE OF CHHATTISGARH on 11 October 2026

1. Heard on the application filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS, 2023). This is the first bail application before this Court filed by the applicant for grant of regular bail.

2. The applicant was arrested on 26.02.2026 in connection with Crime No.89 of 2026 registered at PS- New Rajendra Nagar, Raipur District- Raipur, Chhattisgarh for the offence punishable under Section 112 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 7 of the CG Gambling (Prohibition) Act, 2022.

3. Case of the prosecution in brief is that on 25.02.2026, patrolling Police of Police Station-New Rajendra Nagar, Raipur received secret information that near Electricity Office, Purana Basti Road, New Rajendra Nagar, two persons are engaged in playing online gambling in their Car. When the Police made a raid on the suspected spot, they found the present applicant and one Shanky Darda in a Baleno Car bearing registration No.12-BM-9660, engaged in online gambling through their mobile phones. On interrogation, they duly admitted their playing online gambling and from the present applicant, three mobile phones and cash amounting to Rs.10,500/- were found. From the co-accused Shanky Darda, eight mobile phones, four passbooks, 12 ATM cards and cash amounting to Rs.14,100/- were seized. On examination of their mobile phones, batting platforms/websites, namely, 23exch9.com, allpanele xch.app and

99. com were found along with record, relating to online gambling. Screenshots thereof were taken and print outs were prepared. Thereafter, in their memorandum statements, present applicant and the co-accused Shanky Darda, allegedly disclosed the involvement of other accused persons, namely, Surya (Mobile No.9193660415), Dhananjay Vaishnav (Mobile No.447700103039), Kuldeep (Mobile No.7718064937), Bhola (Mobile No.9202491359), Shubham (Mobile No.7569305092), Pramod (Mobile No.9302977679), Prakash Chand Giri (Mobile No.9752809455), and Shankar (Mobile No.8420928266). It is further alleged that all the accused persons were engaged in online betting through the aforementioned platform and that, for the purpose of facilitating payments, they used WhatsApp groups named “JMK DP” and “Jaidev DP”. It was also disclosed that their associates were operating online gambling activities from Goa. During the course of investigation, it was further found that various bank accounts in the names of different persons were linked with the mobile number of co-accused Shanky Darda. The mobile phones of the other accused persons were also found to be connected with bank accounts held in the names of various persons. Thereafter, the FIR was registered and, upon completion of the investigation, charge-sheet was filed against seven accused persons, including the present applicant. From the co-accused Prakashchand Miri, one mobile phone was seized, from co-accused-Dhananjay Kumar Vaishnav, one laptop, one electronic notebook (tablet), sixteen mobile phones and one Wi-Fi router were seized. From accused Saket Jagwani, two laptops, seventeen mobile phones and one Wi-Fi router were seized.

4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the electronic evidence allegedly collected from the present applicant is not admissible in evidence. It is contended that although various mobile phones and bank accounts were recovered by the police from the applicant and co-accused Shanky Darda, there is no material evidence demonstrating that the present applicant was involved in monetary transaction through the said bank account, or that he was actively engaged in online gambling.

5. It is further argued that there is no incriminating data connecting the applicant with the alleged offence could be extracted from the mobile phone of the applicant. Since the investigation has been completed and the applicant is in jail since 28.02.2026 and final adjudication of the case will take its own time, hence, he may be enlarged on bail.

6. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State opposes the submissions made by learned counsel for the applicant and submits that initially, present applicant-Prateek Kumar Vadhwani and the co-accused Shanky Darda were arrested, as they were found to be actively engaged in online gambling. On the basis of their memorandum statements and the material extracted from their mobile phones, including screenshots, the other accused persons were subsequently arrested. During investigation, material was collected from the mobile phones of the accused persons regarding their connections with bank accounts standing in the names of numerous persons. According to the prosecution, the said material prima facie demonstrates that the accused persons had formed a network for conducting online gambling activities and were actively involved therein. It is further submitted that the screenshots obtained from mobile phones of the accused persons and contents thereof, bank transaction details and other material collected during investigation, constitute sufficient prima facie material, indicating involvement of the present applicant in the syndicate of online gambling. It is also submitted that the bail applications preferred by co-accused Prakashchand Miri (M.Cr.C. No. 4058 of 2026), Saket Jagwani (M.Cr.C. No. 4671 of 2026) and Dhananjay Kumar Vaishnav (M.Cr.C. No. 4565 of 2026) were rejected by this Court vide order dated 19.06.2026. Therefore, present applicant is not entitled for bail.

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

8. Considering the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties, nature and gravity of the allegations levelled against the present applicant, his alleged role in commission of offence and seizure of mobile phones, seizure of huge number of mobile phones, electronic gadgets, Bank Pass-books, ATM Cards, from other accused persons, allegedly interlink with bank accounts, standing in the name of various persons, to which transactions relating to online gambling was being conducted, the material collected during investigation including the screenshots, extracted from the mobile phone of present applicant, as well as other co-accused persons, it prima facie indicates the alleged involvement of the applicant and other accused persons in the syndicate of online gambling activity. Online gambling constitute an organized and multifaceted criminal activity, which has potential to cause serious adverse consequence to the economic and financial interest of the country.

9. In view of gravity and nature of alleged offence and the specific role played by the present applicant, this Court is not inclined to enlarge the applicant -Prateek Kumar Vidhvani, s/o Late Dayalchand Vidhwani on bail. Accordingly, his bail application is hereby rejected. Certified copy as per rules. Sd/- (Ravindra Kumar Agrawal) JUDGE padma