SC takes suo motu cognisance of ‘digital arrest’ scams, issues notice to Centre and CBI

The Supreme Court on Friday took suo motu cognisance of the growing menace of “digital arrest” scams after an elderly couple from Ambala lost their life savings to cyber fraudsters impersonating CBI and judicial officials. A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joyamala Bagchi issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Haryana government, seeking their response on the alarming rise in such cases.

According to the complaint that triggered the proceedings, the victims were coerced into transferring ₹1.5 crore after being shown forged Supreme Court orders bearing fake signatures of former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna. The fraudsters, posing as officers of the CBI, Intelligence Bureau, and Enforcement Directorate, threatened arrest via fake video calls and WhatsApp messages.

Expressing deep concern, the bench said the fabrication of judicial orders and misuse of the Supreme Court’s seal represent a “brazen criminal misuse of judicial authority” that undermines public trust in the legal system. Justice Surya Kant noted, “Forged judicial orders cannot be treated as routine cyber offences — they strike at the very foundation of the judiciary.”

The court observed that similar incidents have been reported across India, reflecting an organised pattern of cybercrime targeting senior citizens. The top court called for coordinated efforts between the Centre and state governments to combat the digital fraud menace and prevent further misuse of judicial identities.