Vicky Middha v. The State Govt. Of NCT Of Delhi & ANR.

$~1 *

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI

+ VICKY MIDDHA .....Petitioner Through:

Mr. Jaspreet Singh Rai, Ms. Neha Kumari, Mr.

Rahul Vats, Advocates.

versus THE STATE GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR.

.....Respondents Through:

Mr. Tarang Srivastava, APP for State.

Mr. Tejpartap Singh, Mr. Asfak Ansari, Advocates for complainants.

Ms. Supriya, Mr. Sumit, Advocates for complainant.

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN

O R D E R

% 29.01.2026 1.

By way of this application, the applicant seeks interim bail in connection with FIR No. 176/2025 dated 12.05.2025, registered at Police Station Saket, Economic Offences Wing ["EoW"], Delhi, for offences punishable under Sections 316(2), 318, and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 10/24 of the Emigration Act, 1983. 2.

The FIR was registered on the complaint of one Mohit Kumar Pandey against a company by the name of M/s Asia to World Consultants Pvt. Ltd., of which the applicant is a director. According to the The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

complainant, the company is engaged in the business of providing work permits, visas, and job opportunities in European countries. The complainant approached the company and was promised a job offer as a warehouse keeper in the Republic of Lithuania, for which he was asked to pay a sum of Rs. 3,69,000/-. He paid the entire amount but was not provided with a visa, job contract, or work permit, nor was his money refunded.

3.

The status report filed by the prosecution reveals that, in the course of investigation, 84 more victims filed complaints, which were clubbed with the complaint of Mohit Kumar Pandey. The total amount allegedly cheated is over Rs. 2.44 crores.

4.

By way of the present application, the applicant seeks interim bail to enable him to settle the disputes with the complainants by refunding the amounts paid by them.

5.

The applicant has already settled the dispute with 29 complainants. Statements of 24 complainants have been recorded by the learned Joint Registrar pursuant to the order of this Court dated 21.01.2026, and demand drafts have been handed over to them.

6.

Mr. Jaspreet Singh Rai, learned counsel for the applicant, states that the settlement amounts have been crystallised in respect of another five claimants, and the payments will be made within a period of one month. Mr. Rai further submits that the applicant intends to settle the matter with all the remaining complainants. In the affidavit dated 12.01.2026, filed on his behalf by his wife, it is specifically stated that the applicant intends to sell an immovable property at Dwarka, having an approximate market value of Rs. 3,00,00,000/-, in order to settle the The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

disputes with the complainants. Mr. Rai submits, upon instructions, that the property is jointly owned by the applicant and his wife, who has filed the aforesaid affidavit on his behalf.

7.

Having regard to the fact that the applicant has entered into settlements with a substantial number of complainants, and has already released the settlement amounts to 24 of them. Considering that the complainants parted with their money in the hope of better prospects, I am of the view that an opportunity ought to be given to the applicant to settle their dues.

8.

Although the applicant has sought interim bail for a period of 60 days for this purpose, the said period is excessive. At this stage, he is granted interim bail for a period of 30 days from the date of release, subject to furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 50,000/- with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court/Duty M.M. and subject to the following conditions:

A. The applicant shall not leave the National Capital Territory of Delhi without the prior permission of the Trial Court and shall ordinarily reside at the address as per prison records. The applicant will attend the Trial Court on each and every date of hearing. B. The applicant shall furnish to the Investigating Officer ["IO"]/S.H.O., P.S.: Saket, EoW, a cell phone number and address on which the applicant may be contacted at any time and shall ensure that the number is kept active and switched on at all times. Address and telephone number of the applicant will not be changed without prior intimation to the IO;

C. The applicant will report to the jurisdictional police station at his The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

place of residence once a week on every Monday at 04:00 PM and will be released after completion of necessary formalities within two hours.

D. If the applicant has a passport, he shall surrender the same to the learned Trial Court and shall not travel out of the country without prior permission of this Court.

E. The applicant will not contact any witness in the proceedings, or attempt to influence them or tamper with the evidence, except for contact with the complainants to work out a settlement. 9.

The application is disposed of with these directions. PRATEEK JALAN, J JANUARY 29, 2026 'Bhupi/JM'/ The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.