Delhi Court Grants Bail to Telecom Manager in SIM Card Scam

In a significant legal development, a Delhi court has granted bail to Binoy Vidyadharan, a sales manager implicated in a SIM card sales scam. The court determined that additional imprisonment would not serve any purpose, given that all essential evidence is already with the investigating agency, the CBI. This case is part of a broader investigation into an organized phishing network that exploited SIM cards for cyber crimes. The court's decision highlights the ongoing scrutiny of telecommunications practices and the legal ramifications of such fraudulent activities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 10, 2026, 13:36 IST

Court Decision on Bail

A court in Delhi has granted bail to Binoy Vidyadharan, a sales manager at a telecommunications company, involved in a SIM card sales scam. The court concluded that further imprisonment would not be beneficial, as all crucial evidence is already in the possession of the investigating agency. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently looking into the matter.

The court rejected the CBI's request for a 14-day judicial custody and ordered Vidyadharan's release on bail under strict conditions, including a personal bond of ₹5 lakh and a surety of the same amount.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Jyoti Maheshwari issued this ruling while hearing two applications simultaneously: one from the CBI seeking judicial custody and the other from the accused requesting bail under Section 480 of the Indian Citizenship Security Code.

Legal Representation and Court Proceedings

Representing the accused were lawyers Amit Kumar, Vipin Kumar, Priyanka Singh, Arunesh Gupta, and Tarang Agarwal, while the CBI was represented by its prosecutors. After considering arguments from both sides and reviewing the case diary, the court dismissed the CBI's application and approved the bail request.

This case is part of the CBI's ongoing Operation Chakra-V, which led to Vidyadharan's arrest on January 8, 2026, for allegedly selling SIM cards that were later used in cyber crimes.

Background of the Investigation

In December 2025, the CBI uncovered an organized phishing network operating in and around Delhi and Chandigarh, allegedly targeting Indian citizens and involving foreign cybercriminals. According to the CBI, approximately 21,000 SIM cards were purchased in violation of telecommunications regulations to facilitate bulk SMS services, which were reportedly used for phishing activities by cybercriminals.

Three individuals, including a channel partner of the telecom service provider, were arrested in December 2025 and are currently in judicial custody. During the ongoing investigation into the racket, Vidyadharan's alleged involvement came to light.