Patna: The Patna High Court on Monday granted conditional bail to Nitesh Kumar, an accused in a cyber fraud case involving a foreign woman, while imposing a series of restrictions aimed at ensuring cooperation with the investigation.
A single-judge bench of Sandeep Kumar allowed the bail application after hearing all parties, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the central government. The court ordered Kumar’s release on two bail bonds of Rs 1 lakh each.
Under the conditions set by the court, the accused will not be permitted to leave the country without prior judicial approval. He has been directed to provide his mobile phone number to the ED at the time of release, keep the handset switched on at all times and refrain from changing the number without immediately informing investigators. Any change of residential address must also be reported in advance.
The court further ordered that Kumar must not attempt to contact or influence witnesses and must remain present for every hearing in the case.
Prabhat Kumar Singh, appearing for the ED, said the court had laid down clear safeguards. “The accused will not leave the country without permission, will not change his phone number, will attend court on every date and will keep the ED informed of his address and contact details,” he said.
According to the prosecution, Kumar is accused of defrauding a foreign woman of about 950 euros, roughly Rs 85,000, through online means. Advocates Prashant Kashyap and Kaustubh Prakash represented the accused, while Singh appeared for the ED and K N Singh represented the central government.
