$~65 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + BAIL APPLN. 2374/2026, CRL.M.A. 18484/2026, CRL.M.A. 18485/2026, CRL.M.A. 18486/2026, CRL.M.A. 18487/2026 ULHAS GHANSHYAM DHABARDE .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Apurv Dey, Mr. Digvijay Khapre, Mr. Ashish Jacob Mathew, Advs. versus STATE OF NCT OF DELHI .....Respondent Through: Ms. Richa Dhawan, APP CORAM: HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE MADHU JAIN O R D E R % 07.07.2026 1. This hearing has been done through hybrid mode. 2. This is the first application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘BNSS’) seeking grant of anticipatory bail in connection with FIR No. 0019/2026, registered at Police Station Special Cell, New Delhi, for the offences punishable under Sections 308, 318(4), 319(2) and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘BNS’). 3. Learned counsel for the Applicant submits that the Applicant has been falsely implicated in the present case and is himself a victim of the alleged cyber fraud. He submits that the amount credited to the bank account of the Applicant's partnership firm was immediately transferred to various other accounts and that the Applicant derived no monetary benefit from the said transactions. It is further submitted that the Applicant had himself approached the police authorities at Nagpur on 22.12.2025, much prior to the registration This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 09/07/2026 at 10:33:47 of the present FIR, reporting the suspicious transactions in his bank account. He further submits that the Applicant has already been granted anticipatory bail by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in another FIR arising out of similar transactions and has been regularly cooperating with the investigation. 4. Per contra, learned APP for the State opposes the application and submits that the present case relates to a well-organised cyber fraud in which the complainant was allegedly cheated of approximately ₹2.40 crores by persons impersonating government officials. He submits that during the investigation, it was found that an amount of ₹50 lakhs from the cheated money was credited into the bank account of the Applicant’s partnership firm and was thereafter transferred to different bank accounts. He further submits that the Applicant had shared his bank account details, OTPs, passwords and SIM card with unknown persons, which prima facie shows his involvement in the commission of the offence. It is further submitted that the investigation is still in progress, several accused persons are yet to be apprehended, and the custodial interrogation of the Applicant is necessary to ascertain the larger conspiracy. 5. Learned APP further submits that the order passed by the Hon’ble Bombay High Court pertains to a different FIR arising out of separate transactions and does not entitle the Applicant to anticipatory bail in the present case. It is also submitted that the relevant facts pertaining to multiple complaints and substantial transactions through the Applicant's bank account were not before the Hon’ble Bombay High Court while granting protection. 6. I have considered the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties and perused the material placed on record. 7. The allegations against the Applicant pertain to a serious and organised This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 09/07/2026 at 10:33:47 cyber fraud involving cheating of a foreign national of approximately ₹2.40 crores by impersonating law enforcement agencies and government authorities. The investigation reveals that an amount of ₹50 lakhs from the cheated money was credited into the bank account of the Applicant's partnership firm and thereafter routed through a large number of bank accounts. Also the fact that the applicant is involved in five other criminal cases of a similar nature. 8. The reliance placed by the Applicant on the order passed by the Hon'ble Bombay High Court is misplaced. The said order pertains to a separate FIR and cannot, by itself, confer any right upon the Applicant to seek anticipatory bail in the present case. At this stage, the investigating agency is required to ascertain the complete money trail, identify the other beneficiaries and co- conspirators, and examine the role played by the Applicant in the alleged transactions. In the facts and circumstances of the present case, custodial interrogation of the Applicant cannot be said to be unwarranted. 9. Considering the gravity of the allegations, the stage of investigation and the requirement of custodial interrogation, this Court is not inclined to exercise its discretion in favour of the Applicant. 10. Accordingly, the present application is dismissed. Pending application(s), if any, stands disposed of. 11. The order be uploaded on the website forthwith. MADHU JAIN, J. JULY 7, 2026/prg/P This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 09/07/2026 at 10:33:47