New Delhi, Oct 27: The Supreme Court on Monday said it is inclined to hand over the investigation into the growing number of cyber fraud and ‘digital arrest’ scams to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing the nationwide and even cross-border nature of such crimes.
A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that a uniform investigation was needed as “criminals may be operating across India, or even from abroad.” The court directed the CBI to prepare a comprehensive plan to probe these cases and asked whether the agency required additional cyber experts or resources.
The observation came during a hearing on a case involving an elderly couple from Ambala, Haryana, who were duped of ₹1.5 crore after being held under a fake “digital arrest” for 16 days by scammers impersonating officials and showing forged Supreme Court orders purportedly signed by former CJI Sanjiv Khanna.
Expressing concern over the rising trend, the bench remarked that “nothing is being done to help such victims,” and issued notices to all states and Union Territories seeking data on cyber frauds and digital scams within their jurisdictions.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, informed the court that several of these frauds originated from foreign locations such as Myanmar and Thailand, describing them as “scam compounds.” He cautioned that transferring multiple cases to the CBI could delay progress but assured that the agency was already investigating some with help from the Union Home Ministry.
The bench acknowledged potential international coordination challenges, noting that CBI may have to work with Interpol and foreign law enforcement agencies, and referred to existing UN conventions on cybercrime intelligence sharing.
The apex court will take up the matter again on November 3. (Agencies)
