Mumbai Court Rejects Bail Pleas Of 2 Accused In Mule Account Cyber Fraud Case

The Mumbai sessions court denied bail to Vishal Maru, 22, and Govind Buchiya, 28, accused of aiding cyber fraudsters in setting up mule accounts across banks. The court stated that the men were seized during a July 3 raid by Unit 2 of the Crime Branch at Padhy Chambers, Masjid Bundar. Prosecutors revealed that law enforcement seized various items, including 42 mobile phones, 66 ATM cards, 122 cheque books, and 8 Airtel SIM cards.

The investigation revealed the accused were part of a group led by Shabbir Shaikh, with Ranvir Kapoor as its administrator. Shaikh allegedly activated bank accounts and provided locations, while the accused opened accounts at these locations. The two accused claimed they were merely employees of Shaikh, employed as clerks, and that the arrest was illegal due to lack of notice.

However, the court rejected these claims, stating the accused intentionally participated in the crime and gained from it. The court emphasized that the investigation was still at the preliminary stage, and releasing the accused on bail could risk tampering with evidence.