ORDER :

P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J.

These Bail Applications filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are connected and therefore, I am disposing of these bail applications by a common order.

2. Petitioners in B.A. Nos.5545 & 5557 of 2025 are the accused in Crime No.240/2025 of Cantonment Police Station, Thiruvananthapuram. Petitioners in B.A. No.5549 of 2025 are the accused in Crime No.685/2024 of Crime Branch (EOW), Ernakulam. The above cases are registered against the petitioners alleging offences punishable under Sections 406, 409 and 420 r/w 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 3, 21, 5 & 23 of the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019 (BUDS Act).

3. The prosecution case is that, on different dates the de-facto complainants in these cases deposited different amounts with M/s. Neduparambil Credit Syndicate, upon their assurance of high rate of interest on deposit, and in spite of the repeated demand, the deposited amount or its interest was not repaid. Hence it is alleged that the accused committed the above said offences.

4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and the learned Public Prosecutor.

5. Admittedly, the petition