'Dost Dost Na Raha': Gujarat HC After Childhood Friend Lures Engineer Into Cyber Fraud by Renting Bank Account
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A childhood friendship allegedly turned into a cyber fraud case after an electronics engineer from Gandhinagar told the Gujarat High Court that he was persuaded by his friend to allow the use of his bank account in return for a monthly payment of ₹25,000, only to later find himself named as an accused in a multi-crore cyber fraud investigation.
During the hearing of the engineer's bail plea in connection with a cyber fraud case involving a total alleged fraud of ₹7 crore, it emerged that the applicant claimed his childhood friend had involved him in the offence before leaving for Canada with crores of rupees.
Case Details
According to the submissions made before the High Court, the applicant, an electronics engineer employed with a company in Vadodara, stated that he had no financial difficulties and had agreed to let his friend use his bank account after being told that the money to be deposited was linked to the sale of land.
The applicant told the court that his friend had claimed he wanted to deposit the sale proceeds in instalments into the engineer's account to avoid paying tax. Believing the explanation to be genuine and intending only to help a childhood friend, the engineer permitted the transactions through his bank account.
However, the court observed that judicial decisions are based on evidence and questioned how the applicant could allow another person to use his bank account.
During the proceedings, it was also revealed that the cyber crime investigation is still underway. Police have so far uncovered an alleged fraud of about ₹1 crore during the investigation, while the overall case relates to an alleged cyber fraud of ₹7 crore.
Gujarat HC Grants Bail
The High Court observed that the applicant could be considered for bail if he deposited 10% of the allegedly defrauded amount, with the condition that the money would be returned if he was ultimately found innocent.
The applicant assured the court that he would sell his house and deposit the amount in phases.
Taking note of the assurance, the High Court granted him bail after directing him to deposit ₹20 lakh.
During the hearing, the court also made a light-hearted remark after hearing the engineer's account, saying, "Dost dost na raha," while questioning how an engineer could place such trust in another person by allowing the use of his bank account.
