Supreme Court Issues Notice To Centre On Digital Arrest Scams
In a major step toward addressing the surge in cyber fraud cases, the Supreme Court of India on Friday issued notices to the Central government, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over the alarming rise in digital arrest scams targeting citizens. The apex court acted suo motu after receiving a complaint from a senior citizen couple in Ambala, who were duped of their life savings worth ₹1.5 crore by fraudsters impersonating government officials.
The Bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joyamala Bagchi, emphasized that cybercriminals misusing the judiciary’s name and authority posed a grave threat to public trust. The court observed that the case was not an isolated one but part of a disturbing trend spreading across the country.
Complaint That Triggered Suo Motu Action
The matter came to the Supreme Court’s attention after a complaint dated September 21 detailed how an elderly couple from Ambala became victims of a digital arrest scam between September 1 and 16. The victims were contacted through phone calls and video conferences by individuals posing as officials from the CBI, Intelligence Bureau, and even judicial authorities.
To make their deception convincing, the fraudsters produced forged judicial orders allegedly signed by the former Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna. They displayed fake documents bearing the Supreme Court’s seal and even fabricated a “freeze order” dated September 1, purportedly issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Under the pretext of these forged documents, the couple was threatened with arrest and coerced into transferring ₹1.5 crore across multiple bank accounts.
Court’s Stern Observations On Misuse Of Judicial Identity
Justice Surya Kant, while dictating the order, expressed strong concern over the fraudulent misuse of judicial identity and official emblems. “Judicial orders with fake signatures of judges strike at the very foundation of the public trust system in the judiciary. Such grave criminal acts cannot be treated as ordinary offences of cheating or cybercrime,” Justice Kant remarked.
The court further noted that forged documents bore not just the Supreme Court’s name but also fake references to the Bombay High Court, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the CBI. This pattern, the court said, reflected “a brazen criminal misuse” of India’s judicial and investigative institutions, indicating a deep-rooted organised cyber network.
Rising Threat Of Cybercrime Against Senior Citizens
The Bench highlighted the growing vulnerability of elderly citizens to such scams, observing that similar cases had been widely reported across various states. The victims, often less digitally literate, are easy targets for sophisticated fraudsters who exploit their trust and fear of authority. Two First Information Reports (FIRs) have already been registered with Ambala’s Cyber Crime Branch, pointing to an organised pattern of operation.
The court underscored the urgent need for a coordinated national response involving both central and state governments. “Ordinarily, we would have directed the state police to expedite the investigation and take it to its logical conclusion. However, the fabrication of judicial orders and the use of forged seals elevate the seriousness of this matter beyond routine investigation,” the Bench observed.
Centre, States, And CBI Asked To Respond
Issuing notices to the CBI, the MHA, the Haryana government, and Ambala’s Cybercrime Unit, the Supreme Court has sought detailed responses on the preventive and corrective mechanisms in place to tackle such scams. The Bench directed the agencies to report on steps taken to identify, trace, and dismantle the networks operating these fraudulent schemes.
The suo motu action underscores the judiciary’s growing concern over the scale and sophistication of cyber fraud in India. Legal experts note that this move could pave the way for stronger centralised frameworks and digital forensics coordination across states.
With India rapidly advancing toward a digital economy, the rise in cyber-enabled crimes—particularly those impersonating legal and enforcement institutions—poses a critical challenge to public safety. The court’s intervention, observers believe, marks a turning point in India’s evolving legal response to cyber threats.
