1 2026:CGHC:120 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 9410 of 2025 Pankaj Kumar Khunte S/o Shri Balbhadra Khunte Aged About 25 Years (Wrongly Mentioned In Impugned Order As Baldhadra Khunte) R/o Kenapali (Kanvali), P.S. Dabhara, Distt. Sakti, Chhattisgarh. ...Applicant versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Station House Officer, P.S. Champa, Distt. Janjgir Champa, Chhattisgarh. ...Non-applicant For Applicant : Mr. Vivek Kumar Shrivastava, Advocate. For Non-applicant/State : Mr. Dharmesh Shrivastava, Dy. A.G. Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice Order on Board 02.01.2026 1. This is the first bail application filed under Section 483 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicant who has been arrested in connection with Crime No. 364/2025 registered at Police Station – Champa District - Janjgir Champa (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 317(2), 317(4) and 317(5) of the BNS. 2. The prosecution story in brief is that while the police was inquiring into VAIBHAV SINGH Digitally signed by VAIBHAV SINGH Date: 2026.01.05 18:42:44 +0530 2 the mule accounts of various account holders after collecting information from the Coordination Portal being run by the Ministry of Govt. of India, Account No.177405001857 was found to be of the applicant where huge transactions were being made. Hence he was interrogated and his memorandum statement was recorded wherein he disclosed that he had given on rent his above bank account of ICICI Bank with internet banking user ID,password to one Firoz Khan through social media for wrongful gain and in lieu thereof obtained Rs.10,000/- and there has been transaction of Rs.30-32 lacs in his account. From his possession, the mobile numbed linked with the said account, cheque, PAN card, Adhar Card and CSC certificate were seized and he was arrested on 26.8.2025. After due investigation charge sheet has been filed. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is wholly innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. Immediately upon coming to know about the fraudulent transaction of a huge amount in his bank account, the applicant, on 08.10.2024 itself, informed the Cyber Crime Incident and obtained an acknowledgment thereof, which clearly shows that he had no intention whatsoever to commit any fraud or cheating. The applicant’s passbook and other documents were misused by one Firoz Khan without his knowledge. The applicant is a young person aged about 25 years and has been in judicial custody since 26.08.2025; the charge sheet has already been filed and nothing remains to be seized from him, and there is every likelihood that the conclusion of the trial will take considerable time. The applicant has no criminal antecedents and this is the first offence alleged against him; he is the sole earning 3 member of his family and his prolonged incarceration would cause severe financial hardship to his family. The applicant is a permanent resident of the address mentioned in the cause title of the petition and there is no likelihood of his absconding. He is ready and willing to furnish adequate surety and shall abide by all directions and conditions that may be imposed by this Hon’ble Court, therefore, he prays for grant of regular bail to the present applicant. 4. Learned State Counsel opposes the bail application and submits that the charge-sheet has already been filed and, in compliance with the order dated 20.11.2025 passed by this Hon’ble Court, the Investigating Officer has filed an affidavit stating that Crime No. 364/2025, registered at Police Station Champa, District Janjgir- Champa (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 317(2), 317(4) and 317(5) of the BNS, 2023, reveals that during investigation it was found that the bank account bearing No. 177405001857 belongs to the present applicant. Upon being traced and interrogated, the applicant categorically admitted in his memorandum statement that he had rented his bank account to co-accused Firoz Khan on inducement of money, for which he received Rs. 10,000/- and further earned about 1% commission on transactions amounting to approximately Rs. 30–32 lakhs routed through his account. During the course of investigation, the linked mobile number, mobile phone, blank cheques of ICICI Bank, Champa Branch, PAN card, Aadhaar card and CMC certificate were seized from the applicant. It is further submitted that about 20 complaints from various States have been received against the said bank account relating to online cyber fraud, and a total amount of Rs. 31,75,069/- was credited in the applicant’s 4 account. Considering the gravity of the offence, the active role played by the applicant, the large-scale financial fraud involving multiple victims across different States, and the apprehension that if released on bail the applicant may abscond, influence the evidence, regroup with other accused and repeat similar cyber crimes, thereby adversely affecting the investigation and creating resentment in society, therefore, the applicant is not entitled for grant of regular bail. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case diary. 6. Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case and upon due perusal of the affidavit filed by the Investigating Officer, it is revealed that the bank account bearing No. 177405001857 belongs to the present applicant and that, upon being traced and interrogated, he categorically admitted in his memorandum statement that he had rented his bank account to co-accused Firoz Khan on inducement of money, for which he received Rs. 10,000/- and further earned about 1% commission on transactions amounting to approximately Rs. 30– 32 lakhs routed through his account; during investigation, the linked mobile number, mobile phone, blank cheques of ICICI Bank, Champa Branch, PAN card, Aadhaar card and CMC certificate were seized from him, and about 20 complaints from various States relating to online cyber fraud were received against the said bank account, in which a total amount of Rs. 31,75,069/- was credited, and in view of the gravity of the offence, the magnitude of the financial transactions, the large-scale cyber fraud affecting multiple victims across different States, the prima facie active role of the applicant as a mule account holder, and the apprehension that if released on bail he may abscond, 5 influence the evidence, regroup with other accused and repeat similar cyber offences, this Court is of the considered view that the applicant does not deserve the discretionary relief of bail and, accordingly, the bail application stands rejected. 7. Accordingly, the bail application of the applicant namely, Pankaj Kumar Khunte, involved in Crime No. 364/2025 registered at Police Station – Champa District - Janjgir Champa (C.G.), for the offences punishable under Sections 317(2), 317(4) and 317(5) of the BNS, is rejected. 8. Needless to say that the trial Court concerned is at liberty to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously. 9. Office is directed to provide a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Ramesh Sinha) Chief Justice vaibhav