Mumbai Sessions Court Grants Bail to Accused in Rs 1.93 Crore Cyber Fraud Case

The Sessions Court at Greater Bombay has granted regular bail to Akshay Gorakhanath Shelake, who was arrested in connection with a cyber fraud case involving an alleged amount of ₹1.93 crore registered with the Cyber Police Station, Western Division, Bandra.

The bail was granted by Additional Sessions Judge Shri Amit Anant Laulkar while allowing Criminal Bail Application No. 83 of 2026. The Court observed that the investigation against the applicant is complete, the charge-sheet has already been filed, and no further custodial interrogation is required. The Court also noted that the alleged amount was transferred to the account of a co-accused and that the present applicant was not the direct beneficiary of the transaction.

While arguing the matter, Advocate Shirish Desai, appearing for the applicant, submitted that the applicant had been falsely implicated, had been in custody for over six months, and that similarly placed co-accused had already been granted bail on the principle of parity. He further contended that continued incarceration would serve no useful purpose as the case is based largely on documentary evidence.

The State opposed the application through APP Abhijit Gondwal, citing the seriousness of the offence and apprehension of witness tampering. However, after considering the material on record and settled principles of bail jurisprudence, the Court held that “bail is the rule and jail is an exception,” relying on several Supreme Court judgments.

The Court ordered the release of the applicant on a personal bond of ₹30,000 with sureties, subject to other strict conditions.