Gujarat High Court Grants Bail To Law Student Accused Of Facilitating Cricket Betting Syndicate, Finds No Money Trail

The Gujarat High Court granted bail to a law student booked in a cheating FIR, involving various allegations including opening of bank accounts in the name of fictitious firms and transferring money received from cricket betting. [2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 191]

The applicant was arrested in an FIR lodged under BNS Sections 318(4)(cheating), 336(4)(forgery), 338(Forgery of valuable security, will, etc.), 340(Forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine), 61(criminal conspiracy). 

Justice Hasmukh D Suthar in his order said:

"The applicant was found at the spot, however, perusing the evidence collected and statements of the witnesses...it appears that present applicant was working with Vipul Patel and Gaurang Darji and they used to open the bank accounts and to create or open the fictitious firms and in names of the said firms by opening the accounts they used to transfer the amount of gaming and cricket betting. Main role is attributed to co-accused Vipul Patel and Gaurang Darji. Present applicant, at the instance of both of these, worked in opening account, registration of GST number and allied work. Except this, no money trail and no role attributed to the present applicant". 

The court noted that the investigation was over and charge-sheet is filed, there was nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant and that the prosecution had failed to point out the circumstances to continue or prolong the applicant's detention.

The petitioner argued that he was only an employee working with co-accused Vipul Patel and Gaurang Darji who used to facilitate in the business of advancing loan and at their instance, he secured GST numbers and did any other allied work with respect to registration of Udyam Certificate etc.

Except this, no role is attributed to the applicant and no transaction or money trail was found in his account. 

The State argued that the applicant is law student and having knowledge of taxation, he systematically siphoned money and that is why no money trail is found in his account. It was alleged that the accused, in the name of legitimate business, have laundered money received from cricket betting. 

"Main role is attributed to co-accused Vipul Patel and Gaurang Darji. Present applicant, at the instance of both of these, worked in opening account, registration of GST number and allied work. Except this, no money trail and no role attributed to the present applicant," the court said granting bail to the applicant subject to certain conditions.

Case title: ANKITKUMAR RAMCHANDRA PADHIYAR (MALI) v/s  STATE OF GUJARAT 

R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER CHARGESHEET) NO. 13468 of 2026

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Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 191