Mumbai, February 12, 2024: The Additional Sessions Court in Greater Mumbai has granted bail to Kanchan Prabhakar Meshram, a 27-year-old woman from Nagpur, in connection with a cyber fraud case registered at the South Region Cyber Police Station, Mumbai. The court, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Rajesh A. Sasne, allowed the bail application on February 3, 2024, citing the accused’s limited role in the alleged fraud.
Case Background
The case stems from a complaint lodged by Hemangini Zunzunwala, who reported being defrauded of Rs. 55,36,000 after being lured into a fraudulent part-time job scheme involving liking YouTube videos. According to the complaint, Zunzunwala initially received payments for her tasks but was subsequently asked to deposit increasing amounts into different bank accounts, leading to a significant financial loss between July 24 and July 28, 2023.
Following the investigation, the police identified multiple bank accounts used in the fraud, one of which was linked to the accused, Kanchan Meshram. It was alleged that she had opened a bank account that was used by the fraudsters in exchange for a payment of Rs. 10,000. The prosecution further claimed that Rs. 14,50,000 was credited into her account, and she had provided copies of her Aadhaar and PAN cards to two individuals suspected to be involved in the crime.
Court’s Observations and Bail Order
Despite the prosecution’s opposition to the bail plea, citing the risk of the accused fleeing or tampering with evidence, the court noted that Meshram played a limited role in the offense. The judge observed that she was not the primary beneficiary of the fraudulent scheme and that her bank account had already been frozen, reducing the risk of further transactions.
Considering these factors, the court ruled in favor of granting bail under the following conditions:
- Meshram must furnish a personal bond (PB) and surety bond (SB) of Rs. 20,000.
- She is prohibited from tampering with evidence or influencing prosecution witnesses.
- She must report to the concerned police station on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month until the charge sheet is filed.
- She must provide a surety within four weeks of release, failing which the provisional cash bail will be forfeited.
- She is restricted from leaving India without prior court approval.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
Meshram was arrested on January 5, 2024, and had undergone custodial interrogation. With her bail granted, the focus now shifts to the ongoing investigation and the identification of the main culprits behind the fraudulent scheme. The case highlights the growing risks of online financial fraud and the importance of vigilance in digital transactions.
This development comes amid increased cyber fraud cases across India, with authorities urging the public to exercise caution when engaging in online job offers and financial transactions.