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Punjab-Haryana High Court
Anikant Bhatt vs State Of Haryana on 24 February, 2026
CRM-M-70793-2025 (O&M) -1-
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH
CRM-M-70793-2025 (O&M)
Anikant Bhatt ... Petitioner
Versus
State of Haryana ... Respondent
Sr. No. Particulars Details
1 The date when the judgment is reserved 19.02.2026
2 The date when the judgment is pronounced 24.02.2026
3 The date when the judgment is uploaded on the website 24.02.2026
Whether only operative part of the judgment is pronounced
4 Full
or full judgment is pronounced
The delay, if any, of the pronouncement of full judgment, and Not
5
reasons thereof applicable
CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANISHA BATRA
Present: Mr. S. S. Momi, Advocate
for the petitioner.
Mr. Varun Gupta, DAG, Haryana.
***
MANISHA BATRA, J.
1. Prayer in this petition, filed under Section 483 of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, is for grant of regular bail to the petitioner
in case bearing FIR No. 61 dated 08.09.2025, registered under Sections
318(4), 319(2) and 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section
42(3) of the Telecommunication Act, 2023 at Police Station Cyber Crime,
District Kurukshetra.
2. The aforementioned FIR was registered on the basis of a written
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complaint submitted by complainant Balkishan Attri alleging that he was
made a victim of digital/cyber fraud and a sum of Rs.78,85,000/- was
extracted from him on the premise of issuing a credit card of limit of Rs.1
Lakh from State Bank of India and then by extending threats to him to the
effect that money laundering of huge amount of money was done from his
Aadhar Card. Realizing that he had been cheated at the hands of cyber
fraudsters, he prayed for taking action in the matter.
3. After registration of the FIR, investigation proceedings were
initiated. During investigation, call details record and telecom subscriber
records of suspected phones were collected and it was revealed that
fraudulent communications were linked to a particular mobile phone number
i.e. 91798-18415, which was registered in the name of Vinod Bhatt. The said
Vinod Bhatt was joined into investigation and it was revealed that the
abovementioned phone number was being used by the present petitioner,
who is son of Vinod Bhatt. It was also revealed that the petitioner had been
using multiple mobile devices and SIM cards for facilitating cyber fraud
operations. He was joined into investigation and was arrested on 14.09.2025.
He suffered disclosure statement to the effect that he had travelled to
Cambodia and Thailand and had come into contact with the members of an
organized international cyber fraud syndicate operating in the name of GPK
Internationals. He was recruited by the syndicate through social media
platforms and was instructed to procure SIM cards in India and supply them
to the members of the syndicate for facilitating cyber frauds operations using
VOIP based calling system.
4. The petitioner in his disclosure statement further disclosed that
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he had procured 500 to 550 SIM cards through co-accused Akash Chaurasiya
and other associates and had provided OTP verification and activation
support to members of the cyber fraud syndicate. The abovementioned
number was also got activated and supplied by him. He further disclosed
about receiving payments of different amounts of money in lieu of supplying
SIM cards and facilitating cyber frauds operations. He also got recovered one
VOIP including 05 GSM VOIP gateway machines capable of operating
multiple SIM cards simultaneously. Several mobile SIM cards, 04 mobile
phones, one laptop, one CP Plus surveillance camera, one Jio router and one
Airtel router as well as his passport were also got recovered. His passport
was found having immigration stamps confirming his visits to Cambodia and
Thailand on multiple occasions. It was also found that he had received an
amount of Rs. 2,50,000/- in his account from co-conspirators. Some other
persons were also nominated as accused in this case. Investigation now
stands completed.
5. It is argued by learned counsel for the petitioner that he has been
falsely implicated in this case. There is nothing on record to connect him
with the subject offences. Vague and general allegations have been levelled
against him. The recoveries effected from him are not connected with the
subject offence. He is in custody since 14.09.2025. Mandatory procedure as
prescribed in law was not complied with while effecting his arrest. His
antecedents are clean. He is in custody since long. His further incarceration
would not serve any useful purpose. It is, therefore, argued that the petition
deserves to be allowed.
6. Status report has been filed. Learned State counsel has argued
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that the allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. He along with
the co-accused had duped the complainant of a huge amount of money by
way of cyber fraud. He had played an active role in commission of subject
crime. His participation in the alleged crime stands established during the
course of investigation. He was an important link in the entire conspiracy
hatched for the purpose of subjecting the victim to cyber fraud. There are
chances of the petitioner's absconding or committing similar offences, if
extended benefit of bail. It is, thus, urged that the petition is liable to be
dismissed.
7. This Court has heard the rival submissions made by learned
counsel for the parties.
8. The petitioner is alleged to have played an active and pivotal
role in an organised cyber fraud racket by facilitating fraudulent operations
through procurement and supply of a large number of SIM cards, providing
OTP verification and activation support and enabling VOIP-based calling
systems for commission of cyber crimes. He is further alleged to have acted
as a link between an international cyber fraud syndicate and its Indian
operations including having travelled abroad to Cambodia and Thailand and
coordinating with members of the syndicate. The material collected during
investigation prima facie indicates the active involvement of the petitioner
in the conspiracy. Call detail records, subscriber information, recoveries
effected from the petitioner, including VOIP gateway machines, multiple
SIM cards, mobile phones, electronic devices and bank account details, as
well as the recovery of his passport bearing immigration stamps,
cumulatively point towards his conscious participation in facilitating cyber
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fraud operations. The disclosure statements and the financial trail further
lend support to the prosecution case at this stage. The allegations pertain to
a serious and well-orchestrated cyber fraud involving a huge monetary loss
to the complainant. The role attributed to the petitioner is not peripheral but
appears to be integral to the execution of the offence. He is also shown to
have received different amounts of money in his account by way of
fraudulent transactions. Cyber frauds have seen an alarming rise in recent
times exploiting technological advancements to target unsuspecting and
innocent persons. Such offences not only cause severe financial loss but also
inflict psychological distress and erode public confidence in digital systems.
The organized and cross-border nature of these crimes makes detection and
prevention increasingly difficult. Offences of this nature, therefore, require a
strict and deterrent approach to curb their growing menace. The trial has
commenced and there is nothing on record to suggest that there would be any
undue delay in conclusion of the same. Keeping in view the above discussed
facts and circumstances, this Court is of the considered opinion that no case
is made out for release of the petitioner on bail, at this stage. Hence, the
petition is dismissed.
9. It is clarified that the observations made above shall not be
construed as an expression of opinion of this Court on the merits of the case
and shall not influence the outcome of the trial in any manner.
(MANISHA BATRA)
24.02.2026 JUDGE
Waseem Ansari
Whether speaking/reasoned Yes/No
Whether reportable Yes/No
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