Okoro Christian v. State of Maharashtra
Case brief
What is this about?
Bail ALLOWED — Bombay High Court, Amit Borkar, J., 23-09-2025 — BAIL APPLICATION NO.3998 OF 2024 WITH BAIL APPLICATION NO.187 OF 2025 — Applicants Okoro Christian and BI German Zha (foreign nationals, citizens of Nigeria) — Crime Register No. 532 of 2023, Panvel City Police Station — S.483 Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; Ss.420, 467, 468, 471 r/w 34 IPC; Ss.66(c) and 66(d) Information Technology Act; S.14(A) Foreigners Act r/w S.1(c) Passport Act — alleged online Facebook/WhatsApp parcel-and-customs cheating of Rs. 3,25,000 from complainant Mrs. Apte — charge sheet filed, investigation complete, no further custodial interrogation sought — in custody since 19-10-2023 — passport/visa in agency custody — bond Rs. 25,000 each, monthly reporting to Panvel City PS, travel restricted to Maharashtra/India absent Trial Court permission.
What did the court decide?
Both applicants (Okoro Christian and BI German Zha) ordered released on bail in connection with Crime Register No. 532 of 2023, Panvel City Police Station, upon furnishing a Personal Bond of 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-Five Thousand) each with one or more solvent sureties in the like amount, to the satisfaction of the learned Trial Court, subject to conditions: (a) no tampering with evidence and no direct or indirect contacting, influencing, threatening or intimidating of witnesses; (b) regular attendance before the Trial Court unless exempted; (c) reporting to Panvel City Police Station on the first Monday of every month between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon until further orders; (d) no departure from the territorial limits of the State of Maharashtra or the Country without prior written permission of the Trial Court; (e) no commission of any offence during the pendency of the trial; (f) furnishing current residential address and mobile number to the Investigating Officer and Trial Court at the time of furnishing surety, with written intimation of any change.