The Delhi High Court rejected four bail pleas in a significant cyber fraud case involving the alleged siphoning of crores from a senior citizen. The accused were deemed crucial parts of an organized crime scheme with serious societal repercussions. Bail was denied to Ashok Kumar and Mohit, while anticipatory bail was refused to Vipul Rana and Himanshu Singh in connection with the case.
The case revolved around a sophisticated cyber fraud where a man in his late seventies fell victim to fraudulent tactics, leading to the transfer of Rs 22.92 crore across various bank accounts. It was revealed that a substantial sum was channeled through an IndusInd Bank account linked to a company directed by one of the accused, Mohit. This amount was withdrawn promptly and was part of a broader conspiracy involving multiple individuals and “mule accounts.”
Prosecution highlighted the extensive nature of the conspiracy, spanning across states and jurisdictions, with several accused still at large and the defrauded amount yet to be recovered. The defense argued that the accused played peripheral roles and were not the main beneficiaries or perpetrators of the fraud, emphasizing that some of them had already faced chargesheets.
The court dismissed the argument that certain accused were minor participants, emphasizing their integral roles in the conspiracy. The judge noted the alarming rise in digital arrest scams targeting vulnerable senior citizens, describing such incidents as organized crimes with significant societal implications. Stressing the fragility of digital evidence and its susceptibility to manipulation, the court expressed concerns that granting bail to some accused could impede the ongoing investigation.
