A Gurgaon court has refused bail to a Delhi man accused in a “digital arrest” fraud case, observing that rising cybercrimes must be dealt with with “stern hands” and should not receive leniency.
Kshitij Mahara, who was arrested on August 27, was accused of being part of an organised cyberfraud network. Additional sessions judge Sudeep Goel rejected his bail plea on Monday, noting that the Rs 23 lakh scam targeting a 65-year-old man involved “different accused played different roles”.
In July 2025, Sector 102 resident Virender Singh Rawat was told that he had been placed under “digital arrest”. The caller claimed a bank account had been opened using Rawat’s Aadhaar and that he was “involved” in money laundering. He was then instructed to transfer money to specified accounts. Rawat and his wife transferred Rs 15 lakh and Rs 8 lakh respectively.
“Cybercrimes are on the rise with technological advancement,” Goel observed. He said the investigation had uncovered a network involving several accused and that phone conversations between Mahara and others established a “chain of event” pointing to his alleged role.
The FIR was registered at Cyber West police station on August 25, 2025, under Sections 318(4), 319 and 61(2) of the BNS. According to the prosecution, Rawat received a WhatsApp call on July 29, 2025, from a person claiming to be a CBI officer.
During the investigation, Anas Sheikh was arrested. Police said his disclosure statement led to Mahara and another accused, L Meikeingakpa Meitei alias Klose. Investigators found that Rs 8 lakh from the cheated amount was initially transferred to a charitable trust, while Rs 2.95 lakh reached an SBI account.
Mahara’s lawyer, Saniyam Bhardwaj, argued that his client had been falsely implicated based on a co-accused’s disclosure statement. He said Mahara had neither received money nor had call-detail or financial links with the other accused. He also cited Mahara’s mother’s stage-IV cancer and the recent birth of his child while seeking bail.
Public prosecutor Jagbir Sahrawat opposed the plea, calling it a serious cyberfraud case involving impersonation of officials and a senior citizen. He argued that Mahara’s release could allow him to influence witnesses, tamper with evidence or commit similar offences.
The court said his family circumstances did not justify leniency in view of the allegations, his alleged role and the organised nature of the offence. It also expressed concern that his release could influence witnesses.
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