SRITAM KUMAR MEHER Vs. STATE OF ODISHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These are the bail applications U/S.483 of BNSS by the petitioners for grant of bail in connection with Cyber Crime & Economic offences UPD PS Case No. 0032 of 2025 corresponding to GR Case No.402 of 2025 pending in the file of learned JMFC-I(Cog.Taking), Cuttack, for commission of offences punishable U/Ss.318(4)/319(2)/336(4)/338/340(2)/3(5) of BNS read with Sec. 66(C)/66(D) of IT Act.

(2.) It appears from the record that one Samir Pratap Harichandan lodged an FIR before the ACP, Cyber Police Station, Cuttack alleging therein that he came in contact with one trading company namely, M/S.Spreadex Global Ltd. in the month of February, 2025 through Telegram App with user name Good_Priya Bajaj having mobile No.+917297864486 and thereafter, he went on depositing Rs.78.00 Lakhs in a phase wise manner in the said company and as per the statement of the said company, his investment grew up to $ 2,56,981 USD, which is equivalent to INR Rs.2.00 Crores, but when he wanted to withdraw the amount, the said company asked him to deposit INR Rs.29,16,130.00 towards foreign exchange value and income tax etc., however, when he asked the company to deduct the same from the amount payable to him, the company refused and he, thereby, smelled the financial fraud. In the FIR, the informant has further prayed for recovery of his hard earned money. Pursuant to the FIR, a criminal case was registered against unknown persons and the matter was investigated into, but finding the involvement of the petitioners in the course of investigation, they were taken into custody and on completion of investigation, charge-sheet has been submitted against the petitioners for commission of offence punishable U/Ss. 318(4)/319(2)/336(4)/338/340(2)/61(2)/3(5) of the BNS r/w Sec.66C/ 66D of the IT Act.

(3.) Heard, Mr. Y. Das, learned Senior Counsel, who is being assisted by Mr.M.Mukul & Mr. N.C. Mohanty, learned counsel for the petitioner in BLAPL No. 5714 of 2025; Ms.M.Mohapatra appearing along with Mr.A.Das, learned counsel for the petitioners in BLAPL Nos. 6232, 6303, 6347,6350 & 7091 of 2025 and Mr. A.Pradhan, learned Additional Public Prosecutor in these matters and perused the record.