Rekha Devi v. State (NCT Of Delhi)
$~6 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + BAIL APPLN. 1032/2026 REKHA DEVI .....Petitioner Through:
Mr. Siddharth & Mr. Rajkaran, Advocates.
versus STATE (NCT OF DELHI) .....Respondent Through:
Mr. Yudhvir Singh Chauhan, APP.
SI Gaurav Singh Nair, PS Central District
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN
O R D E R
% 30.04.2026 1.
By way of the present application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the applicant seeks anticipatory bail in connection with FIR No. 85/2025 dated 24.10.2025, registered at Cyber Police Station (Central), under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ["BNS"].
2.
I have heard Mr. Siddharth, learned counsel for the applicant, as well as Mr. Yudhvir Singh Chauhan, learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the State.
3.
Pursuant to the order dated 16.03.2026, the Investigating Officer has informed the complainant regarding the pendency of the present bail application. A copy of the written communication addressed by the Investigating Officer to the complainant has been handed over in Court, BAIL APPLN. 1032/2026 Page 1 of 4 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
and the same is taken on record.
4.
By order dated 16.03.2026, the applicant was granted interim protection from arrest. The relevant observations contained in the said order are reproduced hereinbelow:
"2. The FIR was registered at the instance of one Ms. Nasreen Begum. She alleged that she did a "Google search" for the purpose of obtaining a Mudra Loan of Rs. 5,00,000/-, and found a mobile number. She called the said mobile number, and the person who answered the call assured her that the loan would be processed. Thereafter, for the purpose of processing the loan, the complainant stated that she transferred various amounts, totaling Rs. 73,015/-, towards various charges. However, upon coming to the realization that she was a victim of cyber fraud, she filed a complaint, which has since been registered as the said FIR.
3. The petitioner had earlier filed an application seeking anticipatory bail before the Sessions Court, which was dismissed by order dated 11.02.2026.
4. The prosecution had filed a reply to the said bail application before the Sessions Court, a copy whereof has been annexed to the present petition. It is stated therein that the present petitioner was the beneficiary of the aforesaid amount of Rs. 73,015/-, as her bank account [Bank Account No. 2351000100231884] in Punjab National Bank was a Layer 1 account into which funds were received.
5. Mr. Siddharth, learned counsel for the petitioner, states that the petitioner in willing to join investigation, and seeks interim protection from arrest.
6. Having regard to the above submissions, and particularly to the fact that the evidence is largely documentary, it is directed that the petitioner will not be arrested in connection with FIR No. 85/2025 dated 24.10.2025, registered at PS Cyber Police Station (Central), until the next date of hearing, subject to her reporting to the Investigating Officer on 18.03.2026 at 4:00 PM, and thereafter as and when required by the Investigating Officer."
5.
Mr. Chauhan has handed over a status report dated 21.04.2026, which is taken on record. The relevant extract of the said status report is reproduced as under:
"9. It is humbly submitted that since the applicant has already joined the investigation and has been formally Bound Down u/s BAIL APPLN. 1032/2026 Page 2 of 4 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
35(3) BNSS after her examination, there is no requirement of arrest of the applicant at this stage."
6.
Having regard to the reasons recorded in the order dated 16.03.2026, as well as the aforesaid status report, it is directed that, in the event of arrest, in connection with the FIR No. 85/2025 dated 24.10.2025, registered at Cyber Police Station (Central), under Section 318(4) of BNS, the applicant shall be released on bail upon furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs. 25,000/-, alongwith one surety in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the concerned Investigating Officer ["IO"]/ Station House Officer ["SHO"], and subject to the following conditions: a) The applicant shall join the investigation as and when required by the IO and shall cooperate with the investigation; b) The applicant shall furnish her mobile number to the concerned IO/SHO and shall ensure that the same remains operational and switched on at all times; the mobile number shall neither be changed nor shall the phone be switched off without prior intimation to the IO/SHO;
c) The applicant shall furnish her complete residential address to the concerned IO/SHO and shall not change the same without prior intimation;
d) The applicant shall not, directly or indirectly, offer any inducement, threat, or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case, nor shall she tamper with the evidence or otherwise indulge in any act or omission that is unlawful or prejudicial to the proceedings;
BAIL APPLN. 1032/2026 Page 3 of 4 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.
e) The applicant shall not commit any offence during the pendency of the proceedings.
7.
The bail application, accordingly, is disposed of. 8.
It is clarified that the observations made herein are solely for the purpose of adjudication of the present bail application, and shall not be construed as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case, nor shall they prejudice the rights and contentions of the parties at any stage of the proceedings.
PRATEEK JALAN, J APRIL 30, 2026 tg/SD/ BAIL APPLN. 1032/2026 Page 4 of 4 The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.