JUDGMENT :

RUPINDERJIT CHAHAL, J.

1. Prayer in the present petition filed under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioners in case FIR No.67 dated 09.09.2025 registered under Sections 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, at Police Station Cyber Crime, District Fatehabad.

2. Brief facts as per the prosecution case are that the petitioners along with co-accused committed fraud with the complainant and dishonestly retained a sum of Rs.29,80,000/-. Hence, the present FIR.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners has submitted that the petitioners have been falsely implicated in the present case. He argued that the alleged transactions pertains to the year 2024 but the FIR in question was registered on 09.09.2025 i.e. after an unexplained delay of more than 01 year, casting serious doubt on the prosecution story. He argued that the complainant has deliberately concealed the material facts that a duly executed franchise/partnership agreement dated 06.02.2024 was entered between him and Taskar Global Pvt. Ltd. governing the rights and obligation of the parties which was signed by the complainant himself after understanding its terms and conditions. He further argued that FIR is an afterthought and lodged to give criminal colour to a business dispute. He further submitted that the alleged amount was transferred in the bank account of the company and the petitioners are not direct beneficial of any transaction. He further submitted that the entire case is based on documentary evidence which are already in possession of the complainant or the investigating agency, hence, nothing is to be recovered from the petitioners. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the petitioners are ready and willing to join the investigation as and when called upon to do so by the investigating agency. Hence, he prays that present petition be allowed.

4. After registration of the FIR, investigation has been initiated and is under way. Apprehending their arrest, the petitioners had moved an application for grant of anticipatory bail which has been dismissed by the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Fatehabad, vide order dated 19.02.2026.

5. On the other hand, learned State counsel has filed the status report in the matter, which is taken on record and while referring to the same, she has vehemently opposed the prayer of the petitioners for grant of anticipatory bail on the ground that the allegations levelled against the petitioners are serious in nature. She argued that the name of the petitioners are emerged in the disclosure statement of co-accused Utkarash Kashyap. She further argued that the being the directors/co-shareholders and benefeiciary of Tasker Global Pvt. Ltd. hatched a criminal conspiracy to cheat the complainant and they induced the complainant on the pretext of providing a health care mall franchise and sishontestly obtained an amount of Rs.29,80,000/- from the complainant. Thereafter, the accused persons misappropriated the said amount and closed the health care mall on false pretexts and causing wronglful loss to him. She further argued that the petitioner is involved in seven other cases meaning thereby he is a habitual offender. She further argued that the petitioners were granted multiple opportunities to join investigation but they failed to do so. He further submitted that the custodial interrogation of the petitioners is required for a fair and proper investigation in the matter, to unearth the modus operandi of accused; to recover the amount involved in the alleged fraud and identification and arrest of other co-accused. Hence, he prays for dismissal of the petition.

6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record, this Court finds no merit in the present petition. The allegations against the petitioners are serious in nature involving a substantial amount allegedly obtained by inducing the complainant under false pretences.