HC grants bail to influencer Bobby Kataria in human trafficking case

Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana high court has granted regular bail to YouTube influencer Bobby Kataria in a human trafficking and cheating case registered by National Investigation Agency (NIA).A division bench comprising Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Deepak Manchanda allowed Kataria's appeal against the July 20, 2024, order of the NIA Special Judge, Panchkula, which had earlier denied him bail.
Kataria was booked by Haryana Police on May 27, 2024, under IPC sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 342 (wrongful confinement), 346 (wrongful confinement in secret), 370 (trafficking), 420 (cheating), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy), along with Sections 10 and 24 of the Emigration Act. Later, the case was handed to NIA.As per the allegations, Kataria and his alleged associates collected over Rs 19.6 lakh from several individuals on the pretext of arranging overseas employment. The victims were allegedly promised jobs in countries such as the UAE and Singapore but were sent to other destinations, including Laos. The agency argued that the allegations were serious and that several witnesses were yet to be examined.In his plea for bail, Kataria's counsel contended that the individuals had voluntarily approached him and paid for facilitation services. It was argued that the persons concerned had travelled abroad and stayed there for some time but returned on their own because they were unhappy with the working conditions.Kataria also undertook to deposit the entire alleged amount of Rs 19,67,000 through a demand draft before the trial court within two days. The defence also highlighted that he has been in custody as an undertrial for over 20 months, and has been acquitted in all other cases previously registered against him.After hearing the petition, HC observed that although the allegations involved taking money to send individuals abroad, the victims had indeed been sent overseas, albeit not to the destinations of their choice. Taking into account the prolonged custody, the absence of any other pending cases, the undertaking to return the amount, and the likelihood of a prolonged trial, HC found it appropriate to grant bail.The court directed that Kataria be released on regular bail upon furnishing requisite bail bonds. It also mandated the deposit of the demand draft of Rs 19.67 lakh before the NIA Special Court, Panchkula, within two days.The Special Court has been granted liberty to disburse the amount to claimants after due verification and in accordance with law. The bench directed that Kataria shall not contact any witnesses or attempt to influence them.The trial is on before the NIA Special Court in Panchkula. So far, only 23 of the 73 prosecution witnesses have been examined.