The application is filed under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (‘Code’, for short), for an order of pre-arrest bail.

2. The petitioners are alleged to be the accused 1 to 3 in Crime No.214/2024 of the Vengara Police Station, Malappuram, registered against the accused for allegedly committing the offence punishable under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000 .

3. The essence of the prosecution case is that, the accused had advertised regarding an online investment and induced the de facto complainant to invest an amount of Rs.1,08,42,222/- in installments, by clicking on an online link attached to the advertisement, in a portal named ‘ Blackrock Angel One’ during the period from 23.01.2024 to 21.02.2024. Subsequently, the de facto complainant realised that the link was a fake one and was published only to cheat the de facto complainant.

Thus, the accused have committed the above offence.

4. Heard; Sri.K.V. Sabu, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Sri. C.S Hrithwik, the learned Public Prosecutor.

5. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are tota