Court in Srinagar Denies Bail to Non-Local in Cybercrime Scam

Court in Srinagar Denies Bail to Non-Local in Cybercrime Scam Image/Representative

VoM News Desk | December 30, 2024 | 09:37 PM IST | Jammu Kashmir, Srinagar | Follow on Google News

Court in Srinagar Denies Bail to Non-Local in Cybercrime Scam

SRINAGAR: A local court in Srinagar on Saturday rejected the bail application of Gurpreet Singh, one of the accused in a sophisticated cybercrime scheme that defrauded a senior citizen of Rs 4 lakh through a “digital arrest” scam.

The court presided over by Chief Judicial Magistrate Srinagar, Aadil Mushtaq, found that the accused’s alleged involvement in operating a “mule account” – a bank account used to launder illicit funds – warranted his continued detention.

Singh, a resident of Kataria Niwas, Patiala, Punjab, was arrested by the Cyber Police Station Kashmir in connection with FIR No. 26 of 2024, which was registered under Section 66-D of the IT Act, and Sections 3(5), 61(2), 111(3), 318(4), and 351(2) of the BNS.

The court observed that “cybercrimes are increasing at an alarming rate” and that such offences “are to be taken seriously, since otherwise similar offences of much greater monetary value and stakes are likely to happen more frequently.”

The judgement detailed the allegations against Gurpreet Singh, stating that he was actively involved in a scam where a senior citizen was subjected to a “digital arrest” and coerced into transferring Rs 21 lakh to scammers.

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Singh’s role, according to the prosecution, was to receive a portion of the stolen funds – Rs 4 lakh – in his account and subsequently withdraw the money through ATMs.

The court pointed out the seriousness of the offence, stating that “the offence committed by the accused is serious and, besides this, the presumption that the accused is innocent is not likely to be affected because the presumption will continue during the trial also, and it is for the prosecution to establish the case against the accused beyond any shadow of doubt.”

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The order further highlighted the potential for the accused to tamper with evidence or abscond if released on bail. “There is a genuine apprehension of the petitioner tampering with the prosecution evidence and absconding, if granted bail,” the court stated, according to Kashmir Dot Com.

The court also acknowledged the importance of individual liberty but emphasised that it “needs to be balanced against the interests of the whole society, and the interests of society are to be preferred over individual interest.”

The court ultimately concluded that “this is a fit case for invoking an exception to the general rule” and that granting bail to Singh would be “devoid of merit.”

The prosecution in the case was represented by Assistant Public Prosecutor Mohammad Latief Lone, while the accused was defended by Advocate Abrar Hussain Khan. (KDC)

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