Orissa HC Denies Bail To Man Allegedly Involved In 'Sharing OTPs' With Pakistani Intelligence Agents
The Orissa High Court was considering a bail application filed in a case registered for offence under Sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B and 34 of the IPC and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The Orissa High Court has denied bail to a man accused of allegedly having connections with Pakistani Intelligence Officers linked to Inter-Services Intelligence and for allegedly receiving money at their behest.
The Court was considering a bail application filed in a case registered for offences under Sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B and 34 of the IPC and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The bench of Justice Sashikanta Mishra observed, "It is seen that there is prima facie evidence of transfer of some money by co-accused Abhijeet Sanjaya Jambure @ Desmukh to the account of the Petitioner on the direction of Abdul Hamid, the Pakistani national. The prayer for bail was refused by this Court in respect of some of the co-accused persons including Abhijeet Sanjaya Jambure @ Desmukh by noting that the investigation suggested a deep rooted conspiracy involving Pakistani Intelligence Officers, who are said to be operating a network in this country. There could also be a larger conspiracy involved."
The Petitioner was represented by Advocate S.R. Mulia while the Respondent was represented by Additional Standing Counsel S.S. Routray.
Facts of the Case
It was the case of the prosecution that they apprehended somebody with reliable information who disclosed that he and his associates have engaged themselves in illegal business by sharing OTPs and mobile numbers to the members of a group which included foreign nationals including nationals from Pakistan as members. In the process they earned money for activation/registration to different social platforms for their pecuniary gain. Following investigation, a raid was conducted in the house of the other accused persons and several incriminating articles were seized. In so far as the present Petitioner is concerned, it was found during investigation that as per the direction of Pakistani national, one of the co-accused transferred some amount to the Paytm account of the Petitioner. Further, certain SIM Cards were seized from the Petitioner, which were used in the UPI transaction which also stand in the name of the Petitioner.
Counsel for the Petitioner argued that there is no evidence whatsoever against the present petitioner to show that he was involved in the alleged occurrence. The only thing that has come up against him is that two SIM Cards registered in his name were allegedly used for certain transactions. He further relied upon the orders of bail passed in favour of some of the coaccused persons and submitted that his client also stands on the same footing.
Reasoning By Court
The Court at the outset noted that there is prima facie evidence of transfer of some money by co-accused to the account of the Petitioner on the direction of the Pakistani National.
It noted that the bail of other co-accused persons was rejected by noting that the investigation suggested a deep rooted conspiracy involving Pakistani Intelligence Officers, who are said to be operating a network in this country.
"There could also be a larger conspiracy involved. In any event, the fact that money was transacted into the Petitioner’s account prima facie, shows his involvement and he appears to have some kind of link with Abdul Hamid, the Pakistani national having links with ISI. In the considered view of this Court therefore, the Petitioner cannot be treated at par with the co-accused persons, who have been directed to be enlarged on bail," the Court observed.
The Application was accordingly denied.
Cause Title: Mohammad Iqbal Hussain vs. State of Odisha
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