The Chhattisgarh High Court has refused to grant bail to four accused arrested in connection with an alleged online betting racket, observing that organised online gambling has far-reaching consequences for the country's economy. The Court held that the material collected during the investigation, including electronic devices and financial links, was sufficient at the present stage to deny bail.
Background of the Case
The case arose from Crime No. 89 of 2026 registered at New Rajendra Nagar Police Station, Raipur, under Section 7 of the Chhattisgarh Gambling Prohibition Act, 2022 and Section 112(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
According to the prosecution, police received information during patrol duty that certain individuals were operating an online betting network using multiple digital platforms. Acting on the tip-off, officers intercepted a vehicle and allegedly recovered several mobile phones, ATM cards, passbooks and cash from two accused.
The investigation later expanded after the arrested persons allegedly disclosed the names of other individuals said to be connected with the betting operation. The police claimed that the network relied on multiple bank accounts, WhatsApp groups and betting applications to conduct online gambling activities.
Arguments Before the Court
Counsel for the applicants argued that there was no legally admissible material directly linking them to the alleged offence. It was submitted that the prosecution primarily relied on the memorandum statements of co-accused persons and that no incriminating material had been recovered from the applicants' electronic devices establishing their participation in the alleged betting syndicate.
The defence further contended that the investigation had already been completed, the charge sheet had been filed, and prolonged custody was unnecessary.
The State opposed the bail pleas, arguing that the investigation had uncovered an organised network involving multiple mobile phones, bank accounts and electronic records. It maintained that the seized material and financial links disclosed a coordinated online gambling operation in which the applicants were allegedly involved.
Court's Observations
Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal examined the material collected during the investigation, including the electronic devices allegedly recovered from the accused persons and the banking records referred to in the charge sheet.
The Court noted that several mobile phones, laptops, routers, ATM cards and other digital devices had been seized from the applicants and co-accused. It observed that the investigation indicated links between mobile numbers and multiple bank accounts allegedly used for betting-related transactions.
Declining to accept the request for bail, the bench observed,
"Online gambling is an organized crime having various facets and a significant impact on the economy of the country."
The Court further held that, considering the seriousness of the allegations, the nature of the material collected during the investigation and the alleged role attributed to the applicants, it was not inclined to exercise its discretion in their favour.
Decision
The High Court rejected the first bail applications filed by Prakashchand Miri, Dhananjay Kumar Vaishnav, Pramod Kumar Orke and Saket Jagwani, holding that the gravity of the allegations and the material available at the present stage did not justify their release on bail.
Case Details
Case Title: Prakashchand Miri v. State of Chhattisgarh (Connected Matters)
Case Number: MCRC No. 4058 of 2026 (Connected Matters)
Judge: Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal
Decision Date: 19 June 2026
