LI Network
Published on: 13 August 2023 at 11:35 IST
The cyber fraud case involving an alleged scam of Rs 63 lakh under the pretext of online tasks through a Telegram channel has seen a Delhi court granting bail to the accused.
The accused, identified as Prem Shankar Teli, a resident of Akola, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, was arrested on July 21, 2023, following an FIR filed by Commodore Shailendra Sharma (Retd) with the Delhi Police’s Special Cell’s IFSO unit.
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Snigdha Sarvaria, after taking into consideration Teli’s period of judicial custody and other relevant factors, ordered his release on bail.
The accused had allegedly transferred Rs 4,23,900 to a bank account using his mobile phone in connection with the cyber fraud case.
The court, in its order dated August 3, 2023, mentioned, “Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case and that the applicant/accused is in custody since 21.07.2023; recovery is already affected, role alleged against him is that in his mobile phone, a SIM was used which is connected to the Bank accounts in which a part of the cheated amount was received and co-accused disclosed that applicant used to give bank accounts to Praveen and Ashok, he is no more required for custodial interrogation and no keeping him behind the bars.”
The bail was granted on the condition that Teli furnishes a personal bond of Rs 50,000 along with one surety in the same amount.
Advocate Sanjeev Malik, representing the accused, argued that his client was unaware of the alleged offence and that he was not the mastermind behind it. Malik asserted that the prosecution’s allegations against the accused were based on his mobile phone being used by the main culprits and that the cheated amount was not directly obtained from the complainant by him.
However, the Additional Public Prosecutor for the State and the Investigating Officer opposed the bail application, citing the need for the recovery of the cheated amount of Rs 63 lakh and the tracing and interrogation of co-accused persons involved in the case.
The cyber fraud case was registered in July 2023 after Commodore Shailendra Sharma filed a complaint alleging that he had been cheated of approximately Rs 63 lakh through a Telegram channel named @Easy Job Group 2023.
The channel had allegedly offered tasks, including liking YouTube channels and investing in cryptocurrency, for a fee.
As the investigation continues, the court’s decision to grant bail to one of the accused highlights the complexities of cyber fraud cases and the balance between custodial interrogation and the rights of the accused.