The Court of Sessions for Greater Bombay has rejected the bail application of Bhargav s/o Kishorbhai Borad and Arvind s/o Amrutbhai Chotliya (Bail Application No. 1007 of 2024), accused in a cyber fraud case involving forged online ticket bookings for IPL 2024 cricket matches.
Additional Sessions Judge Rajesh A. Sasne, in the order dated April 26, 2024, ruled that the applicants’ release would hamper the ongoing investigation as it is still at a primary stage.
Case Details and Allegations
The case (Cr. No. 17/2024) was registered with the South Cyber Police Station, Mumbai, under charges including Cheating, Forgery (IPC Sections 419, 420, 465, 468, 471, 120-B), and Cyber Offences (IT Act Sections 66(c), 66(d)).
- Offense: The applicants are accused of creating a forged BookMyShow link to sell online tickets for IPL 2024, thereby cheating both the informant’s company and the general public.
- Applicant 1 (Bhargav Borad)’s Role: He is alleged to have provided the bank account with the linked mobile number to be used in the fraud.
- Applicant 2 (Arvind Chotliya)’s Role: He was assigned the task of withdrawing the amount collected through the fraud from the bank account.
- Evidence: The prosecution submitted that there is CCTV footage evidence of their involvement.
Court’s Rationale for Rejection
The Court considered the arguments from both sides and concluded that the applicants’ active participation and the early stage of the probe warranted continued detention:
- Active Role: The Court found that both applicants were directly involved in facilitating the commission of the offense by providing the necessary tools (bank account) and logistics (cash withdrawal).
- Investigation Status: Both applicants were only recently arrested (March 31, 2024). The Judge emphasized that since the investigation is at a primary stage and involves a complex cyber fraud, granting bail would prejudice the collection of evidence and the identification of other potential conspirators.
- Risk Factors: The prosecution’s apprehension that the applicants, being permanent residents of Surat, Gujarat, might flee from justice or tamper with evidence was deemed relevant given the complexity and interstate nature of the cyber crime.
The application for bail (Bail Application No. 1007 of 2024) was rejected.