Gujarat HC grants bail to duo accused of luring Indians into cyber crime activities in Myanmar

Gujarat High Court has granted regular bail to two accused individuals involved in allegedly luring Indian citizens with lucrative job offers abroad, only for them to be forced into cyber crime activities as ‘cyber slaves’ in Myanmar.

A single-judge bench granted bail to Akib Husen Saiyed and Danish Dantreliya, observing that the applicants appeared to be "small-time players" who had attempted to secure good employment opportunities for their friends. The court noted that, prima facie, their actions seemed bona fide and without full knowledge of the consequences.

According to the investigating officer's affidavit, the accused Akib received ₹21,500, whereas another accused Danish got Rs 28,500 per person as commission for facilitating the employment.

The court noted that the accused Akib contacted his friend Sahil, who in turn reached out to Amin seeking employment. Through Akib, they connected with Danish, who allegedly liaised with a Chinese agent. Air tickets and other arrangements were provided to the victims via the accused.

As per the police affidavit, 40 youths from India and abroad, including several from Gujarat, were allegedly duped with fake job offers in Thailand, smuggled across borders into Myanmar, and forced to work in illegal Chinese-run call centres carrying out online investment frauds.

The case stems from an FIR registered with the Cyber Crime Cell in Surat, charging the accused under Sections 318(4), 127, 143(3), 61(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 66(D) and 84(B) of the Information Technology Act.