R/CR.MA/417/2026 ORDER DATED: 09/01/2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - BEFORE CHARGESHEET) NO. 417 of 2026 ========================================================== SUMIT ANAND S/O RAMLAL RAMNUGRAH JHA Versus STATE OF GUJARAT ========================================================== Appearance: MR BS KHATANA(3671) for the Applicant(s) No. 1 MR VIRAJ B KHATANA(10416) for the Applicant(s) No. 1 MR TRUPESH KATHIRIYA APP for the Respondent(s) No. 1 ========================================================== CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NIKHIL S. KARIEL Date : 09/01/2026 ORAL ORDER 1. Heard learned advocate Mr.Viraj Khatana appearing on behalf of the applicant and learned Additional Public Prosecutor Mr.Trupesh Kathiriya appearing on behalf of the respondent-State. 2. Rule. Learned APP waives service of rule on behalf of the respondent-State. 3. The applicant has filed this application under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for enlarging the applicant on Regular Bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No.11192015251570 of 2025 registered with Changodar Police Station, Ahmedabad Rural for the offence punishable under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 318(4), 319(2), 61(2) and 54 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 66© and 66(D) of I.T.Act, 2000. 4. Learned advocate for the applicant would submit that considering the role attributed to the applicant, and nature of the allegation levelled, the applicant may be enlarged on regular bail. It is further submitted that no p. 1 R/CR.MA/417/2026 ORDER DATED: 09/01/2026 useful purpose would be served by keeping the applicant in jail for indefinite period. It is further contended that the applicant is ready and willing to abide by all the conditions that may be imposed by this Court if released on bail. 5. As against the same, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for the respondent – State has vehemently objected to the grant of regular bail. Learned APP has submitted that looking to the nature of offence and the role attributed to the present applicant, this Court may not exercise the discretion in favour of the applicant and the application may be dismissed. 6. I have heard learned advocates appearing on behalf of the respective parties and perused the papers. Following aspects are considered: (i) the allegation in the FIR being that the account of one of the accused had been used for laundering proceeds of the crime and whereas it would appear that the role attributed to the present applicant being very limited; (ii) the role attributed being of introducing accused no.1, who was account holder, to accused no.3 who had used the account for depositing the money which was proceeds of the crime; (iii) beyond the introduction part, it does not appear that the applicant had any further role to play in offence in question; (iv) the fact of the applicant working as Executive in the company since last four years without antecedent; (v) considering the above, though the present appears to be a case of Cyber fraud, yet this Court is inclined to consider this application having regard to the limited role attributed to the present applicant. Page 2 of 4 R/CR.MA/417/2026 ORDER DATED: 09/01/2026 This Court has taken into consideration the law laid down by the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case of Sanjay Chandra v. Central Bureau of Investigation reported in [2012] 1 SCC 40. 7. In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the nature of the allegations made against the applicant in the First Information Report, without discussing the evidence in detail, prima facie, this Court is of the opinion that this is a fit case to exercise the discretion and enlarge the applicant on regular bail. 8. Hence, the present application is allowed. The applicant is ordered to be released on bail in connection with FIR being C.R. No.11192015251570 of 2025 registered with Changodar Police Station, Ahmedabad Rural, on executing a bond of Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial Court and subject to the conditions that he shall; [a] not take undue advantage of liberty or misuse liberty; [b] not act in a manner injurious to the interest of the prosecution; [c] surrender passport, if any, to the lower court within a week; [d] not leave the State of Gujarat without prior permission of the Sessions Court concerned; [e] furnish the present address of residence to the I.O. and also to the Court at the time of execution of the bond and shall not change the residence without prior intimation to the I.O.; [f] mark presence once a week till the charge-sheet is filed and thereafter once a month for a period of six months before the concerned police station. Page 3 of 4 R/CR.MA/417/2026 ORDER DATED: 09/01/2026 9. The Authorities will release the applicant only if he is not required in connection with any other offence for the time being. If breach of any of the above conditions is committed, the Sessions Court concerned will be free to take appropriate action in the matter. 10. Bail bond to be executed before the lower court having jurisdiction to try the case. It will be open for the concerned Court to delete, modify and/or relax any of the above conditions in accordance with law. 11. At the stage of trial, the trial court shall not be influenced by any observations of this Court which are of preliminary nature made at this stage, only for the purpose of considering the application of the applicant for being released on regular bail. 12. The application is allowed in the aforesaid terms. Rule is made absolute to the aforesaid extent. Direct service is permitted. (NIKHIL S. KARIEL,J) MISHRA AMIT V. p. 4 Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge. Digitally signed by: AMIT VISHNUPRASAD MISHRA(HC00187), Principal Pvt. Secretary, at High Court of Gujarat on 12/01/2026 15:52:49