Milton John Mathew v. The State, The Deputy Superintendent Of Police,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 18.08.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE DR.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN Crl.M.P.No.12609 of 2025 and Crl.M.P.No.15726 of 2025 Milton John Mathew, S/o.Mathew ... Petitioner in Crl.M.P.No.12609/2025 & Respondent in Crl.M.P.No.15726/2025 Vs.
The State rep. By The Deputy Superintendent of Police, State Cyber Crime Investigation Centre, Ashok Nagar, Chennai - 83.
Crime No.10 of 2023 ... Respondent in Crl.M.P.No.12609/2025 & Petitioner in Crl.M.P.No.15726/2025 PRAYER in Crl.M.P.No.12609 of 2025 : Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to modify the condition (c) imposed by this Court in Crl.O.P.No.25005 of 2024 dated 10.01.2025 and permit the petitioner to recover his passport (Passport No.Z4717336) from the Investigating Officer and not restrict him from travelling abroad. PRAYER in Crl.M.P.No.15726 of 2025 : Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 439(ii) of Cr.P.C,/483(3) of Bharatiya Nyaya 1/6
Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to accept the petitioner affidavit and cancel the anticipatory bail granted to respondent/accused in Crl.O.P.No.25005 of 2024 dated 10.01.2025 passed by this Court.
For Petitioner in Crl.O.P.No.12609 of 2025 and Respondent in Crl.M.P.No.15726 of 2025 : Mr.Sunni Sheen, for Ms.V.Srimathi For Respondents in Crl.O.P.No.12609 of 2025 and Petitioner in Crl.M.P.No.15726 of : Mr.L.Baskaran, Government Advocate [Crl.side] COMMON ORDER The petitioner herein is an accused in Crime No.10 of 2023, wherein the case has been registered against him under Section 420 IPC, Section 43(f), 43(j) and 66 of the Information Technology Act. His partner is the complainant.
2. According to the complainant, the complainant had invested Rs.22 Lakhs in crypto currency. The value of the company through crypta had grown up multiple times to the tune of Rs.100 crores and the complainant's corresponding share of 25% has grown to Rs.25 Crores. Subsequently, the accused closed the business without the knowledge of 2/6
the complainant and cheated him.
3. Thereafter, the respondent/police has taken up the case and found that the wings of the petitioner/accused is spread all over the world and several investors were invested in this business. In such circumstances, the petitioner sought for anticipatory bail. This Court, after considering the objection raised by the respondent/police granted anticipatory bail on conditions. One such condition is that, the petitioner shall deposit his passport before the Investigating Officer. However, the petitioner has moved the Criminal Miscellaneous Petition No.12609 of 2025 seeking modification of the condition, which is in relation to deposit his Passport to the Investigating Officer.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner/accused would contend that he intend to travel various countries in connection with his business and therefore, the passport is required.
5. The learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) submitted that, if 3/6
the petitioner's passport is returned, there is every possibility of absconding of the petitioner.
6. This Court after taking note of the said objection directed the petitioner herein to furnish required details in a proper manner so that the respondent/police shall take a call on the request to return the passport.
7. Today, when the matter is came up for consideration, learned counsel for the petitioner stated that, he tender all the documents required, but the respondent has refused to receive the same to acknowledge, which is stoutly denied by the learned Government Advocate.
8. Also, there is an application on the side of the prosecution to cancel the bail given to the petitioner/accused. A detail affidavit is filed stating why the bail granted to the petitioner should be cancelled. Particularly, which is alleged in the petition for cancellation of bail. When the accused asked to submit the following documents, (i) income tax returns from 2018 to 2024 (ii) documents attached during the registration of 4/6
Terareum LLC in Wyoming, USA (iii) Details of Crypto Wallets held in his name and in the name of his family members.
(iv) Details of employees who worked in Terareum Digital India Services Private Limited.
(v) Details of the transactions received in his 38 bank accounts held by him the accused has not produced inspite of extension of time.
9. This Court on considering the response of the petitioner herein in his petition for return of passport to go abroad and the reasons stated by the learned Government Advocate for cancellation of anticipatory bail that the petitioner's business has been spread across the country and nonco-operation of the petitioner herein warrants cancellation of bail.
10. However, this Court instead of cancelling the bail already granted to the accused, imposed further condition on the petitioner that he should report before the respondent/police daily and co-operate with 5/6
Dr.G.JAYACHANDRAN , J.
mp the respondent/police for enquiry. If in case, the petitioner shall not cooperate, the Investigating Officer shall move this Court for cancellation of bail.
11. Hence, the petition for return of passport stands dismissed. 18.08.2025 mp To
1. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, State Cyber Crime Investigation Centre, Ashok Nagar, Chennai - 83.
2. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
Crl.M.P.No.12609 of 2025 and Crl.M.P.No.15726 of 2025 6/6