‘Even educated people are becoming victims’: CJI Surya Kant expressed concern over digital arrest

Bureau Prayagraj. The Supreme Court has once again expressed serious concern over the increasing incidents of fraud related to digital arrest. During the hearing on Monday, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said that it is a very shocking and worrying situation that even well-educated people are becoming victims of such cyber crimes.

During this, Attorney General R Venkataramani told the court that continuous meetings are being held on this issue and the government is taking necessary steps rapidly. He requested to list the matter for hearing on May 12. During the hearing, the CJI shared the case of an elderly woman whom he knew officially.

He said that unfortunately the entire retirement amount of the woman was usurped by cyber thugs. The court expressed deep displeasure on this. An advocate said that even when the Supreme Court is hearing the issue suo motu, it is very unfortunate that such cases keep coming to the fore.

On February 9, the Supreme Court had termed the fraud of more than Rs 54 thousand crore through digital fraud as direct robbery and dacoity. The court had directed the Central Government to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India, banks, Department of Telecommunications and other concerned institutions. The court had also said that banks will have to play an active role in preventing cyber frauds. If necessary, a temporary freeze should be placed on suspicious accounts so that withdrawal of money can be stopped.

The top court had asked the CBI to identify cases related to digital arrest and conduct a nationwide investigation. Also, Gujarat and Delhi governments were instructed to approve investigation in such cases. The court had also asked the Reserve Bank of India, Department of Telecommunications and other agencies to work out a clear mechanism for providing compensation to the victims.

Digital arrest is a new and dangerous method of cyber fraud. In this, criminals make phone or video calls to people pretending to be police officers, CBI officers, court employees or representatives of any government agency. They scare the victim that a serious case is registered against him, his bank account will be seized or he will be arrested immediately. After this, people are kept on the phone for hours and money is transferred from them in an atmosphere of fear.