The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted regular bail to YouTube influencer Balwant Singh, popularly known as Bobby Kataria, in a human trafficking case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Kataria has been in custody as an undertrial for over a year and eight months.In an order dated February 12, the High Court allowed Kataria’s appeal against the earlier decision of the Haryana Special Judge (NIA) in Panchkula, which had dismissed his bail plea on July 20, 2024.
Kataria has been in custody as an undertrial for over a year and eight months. According to the order, accused Kataria submitted So far, out of 73 prosecution witnesses, only 23 have been cross-examined.
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“Only 23 of the 73 persons in the prosecution have been examined, and the trial may take a long time, so we find it appropriate to allow the appeal,” the order said.
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The High Court also observed that no other criminal case was pending against him at the time of hearing.
“The petitioner is directed to furnish his necessary surety bond to the satisfaction of the trial court/duty magistrate and to release him on regular bail subject to submission of demand draft in the Special Court (NIA) at Panchkula within two days from now,” the order said.
The case was first registered by the Haryana Police and later re-registered by the NIA under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Immigration Act. Kataria is accused of extorting money from several individuals by promising to arrange overseas employment.
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It was alleged that some individuals were sent to Southeast Asian countries, where they were forced to work in exploitative conditions.
During the course of hearing, counsel for the appellant submitted that Kataria was willing to deposit the entire said amount. ₹19,67,000 was recovered from the complainants.
“The petitioner is directed to be released on regular bail subject to furnishing his necessary surety bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court/duty magistrate and submitting a demand draft for the aforesaid amount to the Special Court (NIA), Panchkula within two days from now. The money shall be deposited by Clubera from the Special Court (NIA), Panchkula Ltd. as per law after due scrutiny,” the order said.
