Thane Sessions Court Grants Statutory Bail To Man In ₹1.47-Crore Cyber Fraud Case Over Delay In Charge Sheet

Thane: The Thane Sessions Court has granted bail to Surendra Mourya, a Thane resident whose bank account was allegedly used by accused fraudster Aditi Sharma in a Rs 1.47-crore cyber fraud case. The court noted that police failed to file a charge sheet within the stipulated 60 days, thus entitling Mourya to statutory bail.

Court Cites BNSS Provision on 60-Day Limit for Filing Charge Sheet

Mourya was first produced before the court on May 29, 2025, and remanded to police custody on June 2, 2025. Citing provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the court observed that for offences punishable with a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment, the investigation must be completed, and the charge sheet filed within 60 days of the accused’s first production before the court.

“The accused has a statutory right to be released on bail in the absence of a charge sheet within the prescribed period,” the court held, granting bail to Mourya. Advocate Viraj Gharat appeared for the accused.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Girish Pandurang Karhadkar (62), a Thane-based consultant, who alleged that he was duped by a woman identifying herself as Aditi Sharma.

Accused’s Bank Account Allegedly Used by Fraudster Aditi Sharma

According to the complaint, Sharma contacted him via Instagram on April 7, 2025, later moving the conversation to WhatsApp, where she introduced him to an investment scheme in “Gold Mining” and “Gold Trade” through a company called GBI.

Victim Duped in Fake Gold Mining and Trade Investment Scheme

She allegedly promised 15% guaranteed profits and instructed him to open an account on the GBI mobile app. Between April and May 2025, Karhadkar transferred a total of Rs 1,47,70,188 from his HDFC Bank (Andheri branch) and SBI (Pokharan Road branch) accounts to multiple bank accounts across India, including those of Bharti Enterprises, AARFSN Traders Pvt. Ltd., SK Enterprises, Ali Enterprises, Ratnabhuawan Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Jeevan Traders, Workman Enterprises, and others.

GBI App Showed High Dollar Balance, but Withdrawals Blocked

The complainant later found his GBI account showing a balance of USD 296,160, but was unable to withdraw funds after being asked to pay 30% income tax, 10% conversion fees, and 8% audit fees. Realising it was an online fraud, he lodged a police complaint.

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An FIR was registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The prosecution admitted in court that the investigation was incomplete, leading to the delay in filing the charge sheet.