Patna High Court
Chandrabali SinghversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- ALLOWED
- Bench
- ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
Holding
The petitioner is entitled to regular bail on furnishing a bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties, subject to conditions of cooperation and presence at trial.
Summary
Chandrabali Singh was arrested in connection with alleged cyber‑fraud involving the operation of sophisticated SIM‑box devices. The prosecution alleged his participation based on information from the Sarthi portal and alleged possession of devices, but no material was recovered from him and no specific complaint was lodged against him. The petitioner, represented by counsel Navin Kumar, argued innocence, lack of evidence, and a clean criminal record, having been in custody since 22‑09‑2025. The State and the Economic Offence Unit opposed bail. Considering the absence of direct evidence, the petitioner’s antecedents, and the principle of liberty, the Court ordered regular bail on a bond of Rs.10,000 with two sureties and conditions of cooperation and presence at trial.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to regular bail despite charges under multiple sections of the B.N.S 2023, Telecommunication Act 2023 and IT Act 2000.
- Whether the lack of material evidence recovered from the petitioner and absence of a specific complaint justify granting bail.
Legislation cited
- B.N.S., 2023 — s. 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 3(5), 61(2)
- Information Technology Act, 2000 — s. 66C, 66D, 72
- Telecommunication Act, 2023 — s. 42(1), 42(2), 42(3), 42(6)
Subjects
- bail
- cyber fraud
- SIM‑box
- economic offences
- telecommunication law
- IT Act
- criminal procedure
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.35401 of 2026
Arising Out of PS. Case No.-26 Year-2025 Thana- ECONOMIC OFFENCES, BIHAR
District- Patna
======================================================
Chandrabali Singh S/o- Shiv Gulam Singh Resident of village- Dhatta PS-
Rosera, Dist- Samastipur
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar Bihar
2. Pankaj Kumar , DSP Economic Offence, Unit Bihar, Patna bihar
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr.Navin Kumar, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr.Narsingh Tanti, A.P.P.
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK KUMAR PANDEY
ORAL ORDER
2 21-05-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned
APP for the State and learned counsel for the Economic Offence
Unit through virtual mode.
2. The petitioner has prayed for regular bail in a case
registered for the offence punishable under sections 318 (4), 319
(2), 336 (3), 338, 340 (2), 61 (2), 3 (5) of B.N.S 2023 and
Sections 42 (1), 42 (2), 42 (3), 42 (6) of Telecommunication
Act, 2023 and Sections 66 (C), 66 (D) and 72 of I.T. Act, 2000.
3. The case of the prosecution, in short, is that police
had information that on Sarthi portal complaints regarding cyber
fraud was received and on I.M.E.I tracking and calling pattern,
it was discovered that at Bihrha, Mohraur, Rosera of Samastipur
district and Bisi of Purnia district cyber fraud was being
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.35401 of 2026(2) dt.21-05-2026
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committed by sim box. Sim box is very sophisticated setup
through which international calls are routed on national network
and numerous sims are used at a time. As far as allegation
against this petitioner is concerned, it is suspected that the
petitioner along with one Anjani Kumar Swatantra may be
involved in running of the sim boxes. Further, on being asked,
this petitioner has stated that he has given two devices with
sixteen sims and was ultimately setup at Varanasi and one setup
was given at Bisi with a router and eight sims.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner is innocent and has committed no offence. Learned
counsel for the petitioner has submitted that from perusal of the
F.I.R, it is clear that there is suspicion that the petitioner may be
involved in the cyber fraud but nothing has been recovered from
the possession of this petitioner and as per the statement of the
petitioner, recovery of the sim has been made from the
possession of co-accused not from the possession of this
petitioner and from the perusal of the F.I.R it is also clear that
there is no single complaint against this petitioner regarding
cyber fraud. Moreover, the petitioner is languishing in judicial
custody since 22.09.2025 and bears no criminal antecedent.
5. Learned APP appearing for the State and learned
Patna High Court CR. MISC. No.35401 of 2026(2) dt.21-05-2026
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counsel for the E.O.U have vehemently opposed the prayer of
regular bail.
6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and
considering the facts and circumstances of the case, this court is
inclined to enlarge the petitioner on bail. The above named
petitioner is directed to be released on bail in connection with
Economic Offence P.S. Case No. 26 of 2025 on furnishing bail
bond of Rs.10,000/- (ten thousand) with two sureties of the like
amount each to the satisfaction of learned A.C.J.M.-1st, Patna,
with following condition:-
(i) The petitioner shall cooperate in trial and shall
remain physically present in the trial court on each and every
fixed date.
(Ashok Kumar Pandey, J)
vashudha/-
U T
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