Authority: Supreme Court of India, Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction

Order Date: 08 October 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Appellant Rahul Yadav vs. State of Chhattisgarh (respondent).
  • FIR Details: FIR No.593/2025 registered under Sections 317(2), 317(4), 318(4), 111 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). The FIR was based on information from the “Samanvay” portal of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
  • Allegations: Use of 22 accounts maintained with Karnataka Bank, Mohan Nagar Branch, as mule accounts to receive and route cyber‑fraud proceeds. Aggregated fraudulent deposits amounted to Rs 10,67,665.
  • Co‑accused: Statements of co‑accused Pankaj Choubey and Raj Singh indicated that the appellants obtained their bank accounts for consideration and used them to operate a “Mahadev Book” betting application.
  • Procedural History: Bail applications were rejected by the trial court and subsequently by the High Court of Chhattisgarh (order dated 08‑05‑2026 in MCRC No.4303/2026). The appellants filed Special Leave Petitions (SLP) No.11820/2026 and No.14408/2026.
  • Chargesheet: Filed after completion of investigation, with Section 238 of the BNS added. The chargesheet lists 41 prosecution witnesses; only five have been examined to date. The State counsel proposed examination of fifteen witnesses and asserted that the trial could be concluded within three months.
  • Court’s Assessment: The Supreme Court found the State’s contention unrealistic given the volume of material evidence (books, accounts) and the need to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Continued incarceration was deemed unwarranted.

Final Outcome

  • The Supreme Court allowed both criminal appeals, set aside the impugned orders of the trial court and High Court, and ordered the release of Rahul Yadav on regular bail.
  • The bail is to be released on such terms and conditions as the jurisdictional court may deem fit.
  • Any pending applications, if any, are consigned to the records.

Additional Record of Proceedings

  • Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No(s).11820/2026 arising out of the High Court judgment dated 08‑05‑2026.
  • Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Aravind Kumar and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vipul M. Pancholi.
  • Counsel for petitioner: Dr. Rajesh Pandey, Sr. Adv.; Mr. Jitendra Kumar, AOR; Ms. Ayushi Pandey, Adv.; Mr. Gyan Prakash Dandekar, Adv.; Mr. Niranjan Marde, Adv.; Mr. Jitendra Kumar Singh, Adv.; Mr. Virender Verma, Adv.; Mr. Sumant Datt, AOR.
  • Counsel for respondent: Mrs. Prerna Dhall, Adv.; Mr. Ambuj Swaroop, Adv.; Mr. Shashi Kant, Adv.; Mr. Avinash Singh, Adv.; Mr. Prashant Singh, AOR.
  • The Court granted leave and allowed the criminal appeals, disposing of any pending applications.

Topics: Criminal Law, Cyber Fraud