Delhi Court Dismisses Fourth Bail Application of Alleged Human Trafficker
A court in New Delhi has recently rejected the fourth bail plea filed by Kamran Haider, who was arrested in 2025 on serious allegations of trafficking young Indian men to various Southeast Asian nations. The individuals were reportedly forced into participating in cybercrime operations through fraudulent call centers controlled by Chinese entities.
Judge Highlights Active Role in Trafficking Network
Special judge Munish Markan, while delivering the verdict, emphasized Haider's "active role" in the elaborate trafficking scheme. The court noted that Haider was directly involved in escorting victims from Bangkok and subsequently handing them over to foreign-run, Chinese-controlled companies. Testimonies from victims revealed that they paid Haider substantial sums, amounting to lakhs of rupees, upon their arrival in these countries.
Originally hailing from Jasola, Haider allegedly trafficked numerous young men to destinations including Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. In these locations, the victims were coerced into working as cyber criminals for Chinese companies, operating under duress and harsh conditions.
Bail Parity Argument Firmly Rejected by Court
In his bail application, Haider sought parity with a co-accused named Sahil, who was granted bail in December after spending fifteen months in custody. Sahil was described as a partner in Haider's company, Ali International. However, the court dismissed this argument, observing that Sahil's case stood on a "different footing" as he appeared to be largely an employee of the company rather than a principal orchestrator.
The judge explicitly stated, "Allegations against Kamran are regarding having active role in actually taking the victims from Bangkok and handing them over to foreigners in Chinese-controlled companies for forcibly making them work as cyber criminals." This distinction underscored the gravity of Haider's alleged involvement compared to his associate.
Prosecution Presents Strong Case Against Bail
Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution submitted that the trial was progressing at a swift pace, with eighteen out of fifty-four witnesses already examined. They also cited Haider's previous bail rejections on merits, reinforcing the strength of the case against him. The court acknowledged these points, further noting that there is "sufficient material on record" implicating Haider in the crimes.
Victim Depositions Reveal Disturbing Details of Racket
The court's observations shed light on the modus operandi of the trafficking network. Victims were lured with false promises of employment in "billing and computer operations" in countries like Thailand. Depositions from three victims provided chilling details: they were transported to Laos via Thailand and "were sold in Golden Triangle Area of Laos." There, they were instructed to create fake Facebook profiles under female identities, send friend requests to individuals across different countries, and after establishing contact, induce them to invest money in cryptocurrency schemes.
Multiple Factors Contribute to Bail Denial
In addition to the substantial evidence against him, the court considered other critical factors in denying bail. Haider faces a pending case before an NIA court, and there is a significant risk of him fleeing the judicial process to evade justice. The combination of these elements led the court to conclude that granting bail would not be appropriate at this stage.
The dismissal of Haider's fourth bail plea underscores the judiciary's firm stance against human trafficking and cybercrime, particularly when individuals play pivotal roles in such transnational criminal networks. The case continues to unfold as the trial advances, with further witness examinations expected to reveal more about the extensive operations of this illicit racket.
