ORDER :

1. These bail applications are filed under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. These bail applications are connected and therefore, I am disposing of these cases by a common order.

2. The petitioner in these cases are one and the same person. He was an accused in different Crimes registered at Aranmula Police Station, Koipuram Police Station and Thiruvalla Police Station, Pathanamthitta District. The above cases are now investigated by the Crime Branch Police. The above cases are registered against the petitioner alleging offences punishable inter alia under Sections 406 and 420 r/w 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short ‘IPC’) and Sections 3 and 5 of the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act, 2019 (for short ‘BUDS Act’).

3. The prosecution case is that the petitioner and the other accused cheated the defacto complainants in these cases by collecting huge amounts from them as deposits. It is alleged that neither the deposited amount nor the interest is not returned. Hence, it is alleged that the accused committed the offence.

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

5. The counsel for