desk
Share
News Topical, Digital Desk : The Supreme Court on Monday called for strict action against cyber frauds, especially cases of digital arrests. The apex court said it would address the issue sternly. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi expressed shock when it learnt that cyber frauds worth Rs 3,000 crore have taken place in the country. Justice Surya Kant said, "It is shocking that nearly Rs 3,000 crore have been recovered from victims, and all this is in our country. If we do not pass strict and stringent orders, the problem will worsen. We will deal with it sternly."
The Home Ministry and the CBI submitted a report to the Supreme Court in a sealed cover. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that a separate unit in the Home Ministry is dealing with the issue and several steps are being taken. After a brief hearing, the Supreme Court said that appropriate directions would be passed and adjourned the case for hearing on November 10.
Last week, the Supreme Court had sought reports from every state.
Last week, the apex court had issued notices to all states and union territories regarding incidents of digital arrest scams across the country. It had asked all states to submit details of cyber arrest cases pending investigation. It had also considered handing over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and asked whether the CBI has the resources to handle all cases across the country related to such scams. Earlier, the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognizance of incidents of digital arrest scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement agencies or judicial officers and attempt to extort money from citizens, especially senior citizens.
What was said in the last hearing?
The apex court had said in the last hearing that the creation of judicial orders with forged signatures of judges strikes at the very foundation of the rule of law as well as public confidence in the judicial system. The court had said that such action is a "direct assault" on the dignity of the institution. "The creation of judicial orders with forged signatures of judges strikes at the very foundation of public confidence in the judicial system, besides the rule of law. Such action is a direct assault on the dignity of the institution. Such a grave criminal act cannot be treated as a normal or routine offence of fraud or cyber crime," the bench said.
Suo motu cognizance taken on complaint of elderly couple
Last week, the bench took suo motu cognizance of a complaint filed in the Supreme Court by a senior citizen couple whose life savings were defrauded through a digital arrest scam. The 73-year-old woman from Ambala alleged that fraudsters used forged Supreme Court orders to trap them in a digital arrest and extort over ₹1 crore. The fraudsters allegedly presented a fake order issued by a Supreme Court judge. The apex court issued notices to the Government of India through the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the CBI through its Director, the Principal Secretary of the Home Department, and the Ambala-based Cyber Crime Superintendent. The court also directed the Haryana government and the Ambala-based Cyber Crime Superintendent to file a status report on the investigation conducted so far. The bench also sought assistance from the Attorney General of India on the issue.
--Advertisement--
