[Cites 3, Cited by 0]
Chattisgarh High Court
Arjun Singh vs State Of Chhattisgarh on 16 March, 2026
Author: Ramesh Sinha
Bench: Ramesh Sinha
1
2026:CGHC:12556
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
MCRC No. 9378 of 2025
Arjun Singh S/o Brahmdev Aged About 24 Years R/o Siyamal Pataini Hathras
Thana Mursan Distt.- Hathras (U.P.)
... Applicant
versus
State of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station- Purani Basti Distt.- Raipur (C.G.)
... Non-applicant
For Applicant : Mr. Vikas A. Shrivastava, Advocate
For Non-Applicant/State : Mr. Sourabh Sahu, Panel Lawyer.
Digitally
Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice
signed by
ABHISHEK
ABHISHEK SHRIVAS
SHRIVAS Date:
2026.03.17
16:39:22
+0530 Order on Board
16.03.2026
1.
This is the first 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. 282/2025 registered
at Police Station Purani Basti, District - Raipur (C.G.), for the offence
punishable under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) of the Bhartiya Nyaya
Sanhita, 2023 and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.
2. The brief facts of the case are that the complainant, Rameshwar Prasad
Dewangan, submitted a written application to Police Station Purani Basti,
stating that he resides at Street No. 1, behind Sheetla Mandir, Purani
Basti, Raipur. He is a retired Assistant Grade-III officer who had served
on deputation in the Education Department. He stated that at about 1:30
A.M. on 14.07.2025, he received an anonymous call on his mobile
number 9993383382, which he could not answer. Approximately 15
minutes later, he received another call from mobile number
918923427749, wherein the caller stated that he was calling from the
Telephone Department and informed him that his number was being
temporarily suspended for investigation purposes and that for further
information he should press 0 or 9. Upon pressing 0, he was informed
that FIR No. MH5621/0425 had been registered in his name and that his
number was being temporarily suspended for investigation. Thereafter, at
about 3:45 P.M., the name Rajneesh Mishra appeared on his phone from
another unknown number 916026940342, after which the name
disappeared. He subsequently received a photograph and certain
messages on his WhatsApp number 6260091440. He was asked to view
the photograph and identify a person whose name was stated to be
Naresh Goyal, to which he replied that he did not know the said person.
Thereafter, a photograph of his Canara Bank ATM card was sent to him
and he was informed that the said ATM card had been found during a
raid conducted at the house of the said Goyal, which was allegedly being
investigated by the CBI, and that he would be required to appear for
recording his statement. When he refused to go, he was threatened with
arrest. Being a senior citizen, he was told that his statement could be
recorded online, for which he was required to send a request letter. He
wrote a letter and sent it, which was allegedly accepted by the CBI, and a
copy of the same was sent to him through WhatsApp with a seal and
stamp. It is alleged that a video call was continuously conducted through
WhatsApp and he was directed to deposit money. Being frightened, on
15.07.2025 at 13:33 hours, he transferred Rs. 4,00,000/- from his Punjab
National Bank Account No. 2966000400075737 to Account No.
00510777875190001. On 16.07.2025, he transferred Rs. 17,00,000/-
from his SBI Account No. 30653616149 to Account No.
921020039859529, and on 17.07.2025, he transferred Rs. 3,00,000/-
from his Punjab National Bank account to Account No.
2395110210050539. It is alleged that by making calls from various
mobile numbers, threatening him with arrest and intimidating him, the
accused persons committed a fraud of Rs. 14,00,000/-. On the basis of
the report lodged by the complainant, Police Station Purani Basti
registered Crime No. 282/2025 for the offence punishable under Section
318(4) of the Indian Penal Code and took up the matter for investigation.
During the course of investigation, the present applicant was arrested.
3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has been
falsely implicated in this case. He submits that the allegations levelled by
the prosecution are baseless and without any nexus with the present
applicant. He also submits that the applicant is a peaceful resident of the
above-mentioned address. He happens to be a friend of Rudra Pratap
Singh, who is alleged to be the main culprit in the present case, therefore,
the applicant has been falsely implicated in the present crime. He
submits that in the instant matter, nothing has been seized from the
possession of the present applicant. The present applicant has been
falsely implicated only on the basis of the memorandum statement of the
co-accused. The present applicant is a friend of co-accused Manish
Parashar, and as per his memorandum statement, the present applicant
had introduced him to Rudra Pratap Singh. It is alleged that upon the
instigation of Rudra Pratap Singh, he purchased two SIM cards in his
name, which were later taken by Rudra Pratap Singh. He also submits
that the present applicant has neither received any amount in his bank
account nor made any call to the complainant to induce him to transfer
money. He submits that in the entire charge-sheet, except for the
memorandum statement of co-accused Manish Parashar, not a single
piece of evidence is available against the present applicant. In the
present crime, the SIM cards allegedly used for threatening the
complainant or the bank accounts into which the money was transferred
by the complainant do not belong to the present applicant. He submits
that present applicant has no criminal antecedents and he is in jail since
20.10.2025, conclusion of the trial may take some time, therefore, he
prays for grant of regular bail to the applicant.
4. On the other hand, the learned State Counsel opposes the bail
application of the applicant and submits that in compliance of this Court's
order dated 25.11.2025, the concerned Investigating Officer has
submitted his personal affidavit, stating that the complainant Rameshwar
Prasad Dewangan, a retired Assistant Grade-III from the Education
Department, submitted a written complaint before Police Station Purani
Basti, Raipur, stating that at about 01:30 A.M. on 14.07.2025, he
received an anonymous call on his mobile number 9993383382, which
he couis mobile number was being temporarily suspended for
investigation purposes and that for further information he should press 0
or 9. Upon pressing 0, he was informed that FIR No. MH5621/0425 had
been registered in his name and that his mobile number was under
investigation. Thereafter, at about 03:45 P.M., the name Rajneesh
Mishra appeared on his phone from another number 916026940342,
after which the name disappeared. Subsequently, he received a
photograph and certain messages on his WhatsApp number
6260091440. It is further stated that the complainant was thereafter
threatened and asked to deposit money. Being frightened, he transferred
Rs. 4,00,000/- on 15.07.2025 from his Punjab National Bank account
(No. 2966000400075737) to Account No. 00510777875190001. On
16.07.2025, he transferred Rs. 7,00,000/- from his SBI Account No.
30653616149 to Account No. 921020039859529, and on 17.07.2025,
he transferred Rs. 3,00,000/- from his Punjab National Bank account to
Account No. 2395110210050539. Thus, a total amount of Rs.
14,00,000/- was fraudulently obtained by the accused persons by
threatening the complainant with arrest and on the basis of the said
complaint, the present crime was registered and investigation was taken
up by the police authorities. During the course of investigation, it was
revealed that the mobile numbers 8923427749 and 7830626195, used
in the commission of the offence, belong to Manish Parashar, resident of
Ward No. 25, Police Station Hathras, District Hathras, Uttar Pradesh.
The said accused was summoned and interrogated, and in his
memorandum statement, he disclosed that the said SIM cards were
purchased in May 2025 and were later sold for Rs. 10,000/- to Arjun
Singh (present accused/applicant) and Rudra Pratap Singh, who used
the same in the commission of the offence. During further investigation,
the present accused/applicant was summoned and interrogated. In his
memorandum statement, he admitted that he, along with other accused
persons, used to impersonate officials and digitally threaten people online
in order to obtain money fraudulently. He further disclosed that the SIM
cards were procured through Manish Parashar. If the present
accused/applicant is granted bail, there is a strong likelihood that he may
abscond, tamper with evidence, or influence witnesses, which would
adversely affect the ongoing investigation. Considering the serious nature
of the offence relating to cyber fraud, there is also a possibility that he
may again indulge in similar criminal activities.ld not answer.
Approximately 15 minutes later, he received another call from mobile
number 918923427749, wherein the caller claimed to be calling from the
Telephone Department and informed him that his mobile number was
being temporarily suspended for investigation purposes and that for
further information he should press 0 or 9. Upon pressing 0, he was
informed that FIR No. MH5621/0425 had been registered in his name
and that his mobile number was under investigation. Thereafter, at about
03:45 P.M., the name Rajneesh Mishra appeared on his phone from
another number 916026940342, after which the name disappeared.
Subsequently, he received a photograph and certain messages on his
WhatsApp number 6260091440. It is further stated that the complainant
was thereafter threatened and asked to deposit money. Being frightened,
he transferred Rs. 4,00,000/- on 15.07.2025 from his Punjab National
Bank account (No. 2966000400075737) to Account No.
00510777875190001. On 16.07.2025, he transferred Rs. 7,00,000/-
from his SBI Account No. 30653616149 to Account No.
921020039859529, and on 17.07.2025, he transferred Rs. 3,00,000/-
from his Punjab National Bank account to Account No.
2395110210050539. Thus, a total amount of Rs. 14,00,000/- was
fraudulently obtained by the accused persons by threatening the
complainant with arrest and on the basis of the said complaint, the
present crime was registered and investigation was taken up by the
police authorities. During the course of investigation, it was revealed that
the mobile numbers 8923427749 and 7830626195, used in the
commission of the offence, belong to Manish Parashar, resident of Ward
No. 25, Police Station Hathras, District Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. The said
accused was summoned and interrogated, and in his memorandum
statement, he disclosed that the said SIM cards were purchased in May
2025 and were later sold for Rs. 10,000/- to Arjun Singh (present
accused/applicant) and Rudra Pratap Singh, who used the same in the
commission of the offence. During further investigation, the present
accused/applicant was summoned and interrogated. In his memorandum
statement, he admitted that he, along with other accused persons, used
to impersonate officials and digitally threaten people online in order to
obtain money fraudulently. He further disclosed that the SIM cards were
procured through Manish Parashar. If the present accused/applicant is
granted bail, there is a strong likelihood that he may abscond, tamper
with evidence, or influence witnesses, which would adversely affect the
ongoing investigation. Considering the serious nature of the offence
relating to cyber fraud, there is also a possibility that he may again
indulge in similar criminal activities.
5. I have heard learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the
case diary.
6. Considering the submissions made by learned State Counsel and the
material available on record, particularly the personal affidavit of the
Investigating Officer filed in compliance with the order dated 25.11.2025,
this Court finds that the present case involves a serious offence of cyber
fraud wherein the complainant was allegedly threatened through
impersonation and induced to transfer a total amount of Rs.14,00,000/-.
The investigation reveals the involvement of the present applicant in
procuring SIM cards and using them for impersonation and online threats
for obtaining money fraudulently. In view of the nature and gravity of the
offence and the possibility of the applicant absconding or tampering with
the evidence, this Court is not inclined to grant bail to the applicant at this
stage. Accordingly, the bail application deserves to be rejected.
7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant - Arjun Singh, involved
in Crime No. 282/2025 registered at Police Station Purani Basti, District -
Raipur (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 318(4) and 3(5)
of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 66(D) of the Information
Technology Act, is rejected.
8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and
conclude the trial expeditiously.
9. Office is directed to send a certified copy of this order to the trial Court
concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith.
Sd/-
(Ramesh Sinha)
Chief Justice
Abhishek
