Anticipatory bail and prima facie cheating: delivery records and GST correspondence supported the prosecution case against the applicant.

Pre-arrest bail was refused because the investigation material, including delivery challans, warehouse and transport records, and GST correspondence, prima facie supported the prosecution version that goods were delivered at the applicant's instance. The Court found that the complainant's earlier GST communication aligned with the alleged supply chain, while the later clarification did not satisfactorily explain the inconsistency. On that material, the ingredients of cheating were held to be prima facie made out, and the applicant's denial did not displace the prosecution case at the anticipatory bail stage.

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Issues: Whether pre-arrest bail should be granted where the investigation material, including delivery records and GST correspondence, prima facie showed delivery of goods at the applicant's instance and subsequent denial of liability.

Analysis: The material collected in investigation, particularly the delivery challans, warehouse and transport records, and the initial GST communication, supported the prosecution version that the complainant had supplied cloves which were delivered to the co-accused at the applicant's instance. The later GST clarification was not accepted because it did not satisfactorily explain the inconsistency in the earlier communication. On this material, the Court found that the ingredients of cheating were prima facie made out and that the applicant's claim did not dislodge the prosecution case at the stage of anticipatory bail.

Conclusion: Pre-arrest bail was refused.

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