[Cites 6, Cited by 0]

Karnataka High Court

Mr Vikram Singh vs State Of Karnataka on 3 February, 2026

Author: Shivashankar Amarannavar

Bench: Shivashankar Amarannavar

                                                  -1-
                                                              NC: 2026:KHC:6056
                                                        CRL.P No. 17098 of 2025


                      HC-KAR




                           IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

                             DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026

                                               BEFORE
                      THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR
                       CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 17098 OF 2025 (439(Cr.PC) /
                                             483(BNSS))
                      BETWEEN:

                      MR. VIKRAM SINGH
                      S/O SHAYAR SINGH
                      AGED ABOUT 53 YEARS
                      SINGHASAN SHIKAR
                      RAJASTHAN-332 027
                      (NOW IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY)
                      BANGALORE CENTRAL JAIL
                      PARAPPANA AGRAHARA
                      BANGALORE-560 100)
                                                                  ...PETITIONER
                      (BY SRI. RAKSHITH R, ADVOCATE)

                      AND:
Digitally signed by
LAKSHMINARAYANA
MURTHY RAJASHRI
                      1.    STATE OF KARNATAKA
Location: HIGH
COURT OF
                            REPRESENTED BY SUB-INSPECTOR
KARNATAKA                   OF POLICE, HSR LAYOUT POLICE
                            BENGALURU-560 102
                            REPRESENTED BY
                            STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR
                            HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA
                            BANGALORE-01

                      2.    STATE OF KARNATAKA
                            REPRESENTED BY PSI
                            CEN CRIME POLICE STATION
                            SOUTH EAST DIVISION
                            BANGALORE CITY
                              -2-
                                         NC: 2026:KHC:6056
                                   CRL.P No. 17098 of 2025


HC-KAR




    BANGALORE-560 102
    REP. BY SPP, HIGH COURT
    BANGALORE-01
                                           ...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. M.R. PATIL, HCGP)

     THIS CRL.P IS FILED UNDER SECTION 439 OF CR.P.C
(FILED U/S.483 BNSS) PRAYING TO ENLARGE THE PETITIONER
ON BAIL IN CRIME NO.384/2025 IN HSR LAYOUT POLICE
STATION BENGALURU ON THE FILE OF THE 39TH ACMM,
BENGALURU FOR THE OFFENCE PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTION
66-C,66-D,84-B OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACT, 2000
AND SECTION 318(4),319,61(2) R/W SEC.3(5) OF BNS.

    THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY,
ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR


                       ORAL ORDER

This petition is filed by accused No.18 under Section

483 of BNSS, praying to grant bail in Crime No.384/2025

of HSR Layout Police Station, registered for offences under

Section 66(C), 66(D) of Information Technology Act, 2000

and Sections 318(4), 319, 61(2) r/w 3(5) of BNS.

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and

learned HCGP for respondent/State.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner would contend

that the petitioner and accused No.19 were the Directors

NC: 2026:KHC:6056

HC-KAR

of Cybits Solution Pvt. Ltd. at the time of incorporation of

the said Company. Subsequently, accused No.18 resigned

from the Directorship and his resignation has been

accepted with effect from 17.09.2021. The company came

to be incorporated on 20.07.2021. The offences alleged

have not taken place between 20.07.2021 till

petitioner/accused No.18 resigned on 17.09.2021. The

allegation against the petitioner is that he paid rent to the

landlord. There is no any amount credited to the bank

account of this petitioner. The petitioner is not involved in

commission of any offence as alleged. There is no

recovery. The petitioner is not having any criminal

antecedents. The offences alleged against the petitioner

are not punishable with death or imprisonment for life and

the maximum punishment provided is imprisonment for 7

years. As the charge sheet is filed, the petitioner is not

required for further custodial interrogation. With this, he

prayed to allow the petition.

NC: 2026:KHC:6056

HC-KAR

4. Per contra, learned HCGP would contend that the

petitioner was Director of the Company. The petitioner has

received the money. The charge sheet indicates that the

petitioner was a Director. There is allegation of digital

arrest of the citizens of US and Australia. The offence

alleged against the petitioner is a heinous offence. The

charge sheet material show prima-facie case against the

petitioner for offences alleged against him. With this, he

prayed to reject the petition.

5. Having heard the learned counsels, the Court has

perused the charge sheet and other materials placed on

record.

6. This Court, while considering bail/anticipatory bail

petitions of accused Nos.3, 5, 6 to 9, 10 to 12, 13, 15 and

17, 20, 21, 34 in Crl.P.No.15649/2025 with connected

petitions in the order dated 17.12.2025, has observed as

under:

10. On the complaint of PSI, HSR Layout Police Station dated 07.10.2025, case came to

NC: 2026:KHC:6056

HC-KAR

be registered in Crime No.384/2025 for offences punishable under Sections 66(C), 66(D), 84(B) of Information Technology Act, 2000 and Sections 61(2), 318(4), 319, read with Section 3(5) of BNS against Cybits Solution Private Limited and others. During investigation some of the accused persons have been arrested. During investigation, requisition has been filed to insert Sections 111(2) and 111(4) of BNS.

11. After investigation, charge sheet has been filed against accused Nos. 1 to 34 for offences punishable under Sections 66(C), 66(D), 84(B) of Information Technology Act, 2000 and Sections 61(2), 318(4), 319, read with Section 3(5) of BNS. The charge sheet has not been filed for offences punishable under Sections 111(2) and 111(4) of BNS, as accused persons are not involved in more than one crimes during last 10 years. Accused No.2 is working as Office Boy maintaining attendance records of employees of accused No.1 -Company. Accused No.4 is working as Closure. Accused Nos.3, 5, 6 to 17 are working as Dialers/Closures in accused No.1 -Company. Accused Nos.2 to 17 are the

NC: 2026:KHC:6056

HC-KAR

employees of accused No.1 -Company. The allegation against accused No.1 -Company and it's employees i.e., accused Nos.2 to 17 is that they are making calls to the citizens of US and Canada stating that they are the US Customs and Border Protection Force, Drug Enforcement and Administration and Department of Homeland Security and used to get the details of the said victims, their passport, bank accounts, driving license and threatening them stating that they are involved in commission of offence and getting money transferred from them to different accounts and keeping them in digital arrest and in order to get money from them asking them to purchase gift card of Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Dollar General, HEB Store and sending Bitcoin QR Code and asking them to transfer money. Accused persons were acting as Investigating Officers of United States and creating arrest warrant of United State Supreme Court and United State District Court. Employees of accused No.1 -Company used to make calls to citizens of US and Canada in that regard.

NC: 2026:KHC:6056

HC-KAR

7. The charge sheet material indicate that the

petitioner/accused No.18 was Director along with accused

No.19 at the time of incorporation of the Company that is

on 20.07.2021. The charge sheet material further indicate

that petitioner/accused No.18 has resigned and ceased to

be Director with effect from 17.09.2021. Whether there is

any allegation of digital arrest as alleged in the charge

sheet between 20.07.2021 and 17.09.2021 is a matter of

trial. The allegation against this petitioner is that he was a

Director and he paid rent of the premises to the landlord.

There is no any recovery at the instance of the petitioner.

The petitioner is not having any criminal antecedents. The

petitioner is in judicial custody since 03.11.2025 and as

the charge sheet is filed, he is not required for further

custodial interrogation. The offences alleged against the

petitioner are not punishable either with death or

imprisonment for life.

NC: 2026:KHC:6056

HC-KAR

8. Considering the above aspects, petitioner has

made out case for grant of bail with conditions. In the

result, the following:

ORDER

The petition is allowed. The petitioner is granted bail

in Crime No.384/2025 of HSR Layout Police Station,

subject to following conditions:

(i) Petitioner shall execute a bail bond for a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- with one surety for the like sum to the satisfaction of jurisdictional Court.

(ii) Petitioner shall not tamper the prosecution witnesses either directly or indirectly.
     (iii)    Petitioner shall appear before the trial
              Court      on   all     dates     hearing    unless
exempted and co-operate for speedy disposal of the case.

NC: 2026:KHC:6056

HC-KAR

(iv) Petitioner shall appear before the IO whenever called for, if his presence is required for further investigation, if any.

Sd/-

(SHIVASHANKAR AMARANNAVAR) JUDGE

DKB List No.: 1 Sl No.: 13