SANTOSH MOHURI Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is in custody since 9/11/2023 in connection with Cyber Crime Economic Office P.S. No. 44 of 2023 corresponding to G.R. Case No. 932 of 2023 pending in the Court of learned J.M.F.C.-I, Cuttack for the alleged commission of offences under Ss. 419/420/465/468 of IPC.

(2.) The prosecution case, as called out from the FIR, is that the informant used to visit one Chintamani Parida, also known as Hanuman Baba at his home in Trishulia everyday and used to meet several friends there. A stranger, namely Santosh Mohanty (Petitioner), purportedly acting at the instance of said Hanuman Baba identified himself as the Private Secretary to Union Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan and nephew of Ex-minister, Raghunath Mohanty. It is alleged that the petitioner convinced Hanuman Baba that he would arrange jobs in IOCL and Indian Railways for the children of his acquaintances. Accordingly, on the advice of Hanuman Baba, the informant along with others paid substantial amounts of money to the petitioner on different dates by bank transfer/UPI transfer, on being assured of getting permanent jobs for their children. In the process a total amount of Rs.59,25,100.00 was paid to Santosh Mohanty by the informants. Basing on such FIR, the aforementioned case was registered and investigation was taken up in course of which the petitioner was arrested.

(3.) Heard Mr. Yosobanta Das, Learned Senior Counsel assisted by Mr. N.C. Mohanty, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. S.K. Mishra, learned Addl. Standing Counsel for the State and Mr. B.P. Sarangi, learned counsel appearing for the informant.