2 weeks ago
Mumbai Court Rejects Bail in Mule Account Cyber Fraud Case
In Mumbai, some people were helping online tricksters by opening many bank accounts for them.
These accounts are called mule accounts, and they help bad people hide stolen money.
The police raided a place and caught four people doing this.
They found lots of phones, ATM cards, cheque books, and SIM cards.
Two of the people caught, Vishal and Govind, asked the judge to let them go home.
They said they were just workers and did not know what was happening.
But the judge said no.
The judge said they were caught in the act and were part of the plan.
The judge also worried they might destroy evidence if they were released.
So they must stay in jail while the police keep investigating.
Mumbai sessions court rejected bail pleas of Vishal Maru (22) and Govind Buchiya (28), accused of facilitating mule bank accounts for cyber fraudsters.
The two were among four persons caught red-handed in a Crime Branch raid on July 3 at Padhy Chambers, Masjid Bundar.
Police seized 42 mobile phones, 66 ATM cards, 122 cheque books, 15 passbooks, 8 Airtel SIM cards, computers and other materials in the raid.
The accused allegedly received Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 per account opened, which was used for cyber fraud and online gaming.
The court said the applicants were intentionally involved with mens rea and that releasing them could hamper or tamper with evidence.
- Who
- Vishal Maru (22) and Govind Buchiya (28), accused of facilitating mule bank accounts; the alleged group was created by Shabbir Shaikh, with administrator Ranvir Kapoor reportedly residing in Dubai.
- What
- The Mumbai sessions court rejected their bail pleas in a mule account cyber fraud case.
- Where
- Mumbai; the raid was at Padhy Chambers, Masjid Bundar.
- When
- Monday; the Crime Branch raid took place on July 3.
- Why
- The court found the accused were intentionally involved with mens rea and that bail could hamper or tamper with prosecution evidence.
Accused's Defense
Court and Prosecution
Role in the alleged fraud
Accused's Defense
Maru and Buchiya claimed they were just employees of Shaikh working as clerks, with no evidence linking them to the 122 mule accounts.
Court and Prosecution
The court said the applicants were intentionally involved with mens rea and acquired wrongful gain.
Legality of the arrest
Accused's Defense
The accused argued their arrest was illegal because they were not given prior notice.
Court and Prosecution
The court said they were caught red-handed with bogus bank account material, and giving notice would have allowed evidence to disappear or be tampered with.
Key facts
- Court
- Mumbai Sessions Court
- Accused
- Vishal Maru (22) and Govind Buchiya (28)
- Raid Date
- July 3
- Raid Location
- Padhy Chambers, Masjid Bundar, Mumbai
- Items Seized
- 42 mobile phones, 66 ATM cards, 122 cheque books, 15 passbooks, 8 SIM cards
- Payment Per Account
- Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000
- Alleged Group Creator
- Shabbir Shaikh
- Alleged Administrator
- Ranvir Kapoor (reportedly in Dubai)
Quotes
Mumbai sessions court
Judge of the Mumbai sessions court
“"Applicants and co-accused were red-handed apprehended with the material of bogus bank accounts, SIM cards which is discussed above in detail."”
freepressjournal.in
“"It appears that applicants with mens rea were intentionally involved in the crime and acquired wrongful gain."”
freepressjournal.in










