Supreme Court Directs Treating Digital Arrests, Cyber Frauds as Organised Crime
The Supreme Court of India has directed that digital arrests and cyber frauds be treated as organised crime, calling for the invocation of stringent laws to curb such offences. The observation came during a hearing on a petition seeking measures to tackle the rising menace of cyber frauds, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money from victims.
A bench comprising Justices emphasized that these crimes are not isolated incidents but part of a sophisticated network that requires a coordinated response from law enforcement agencies. The court noted that digital arrests—where victims are falsely accused of crimes and coerced into paying money—have become a severe threat, exploiting the fear of legal action.
The Supreme Court directed that all such cases be registered under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, and that they be treated as organised crime under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or similar state laws where applicable. The court also urged the central and state governments to set up specialized cyber cells and improve public awareness about such scams.
This ruling is expected to strengthen prosecution and ensure stricter punishment for perpetrators, who often operate from overseas and use encrypted communication. The court highlighted that the financial losses from cyber frauds run into crores of rupees, affecting not only individuals but also businesses and government agencies.
The judgement comes amid a surge in cybercrime complaints, with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal receiving over 1.5 lakh complaints in 2024 alone. The Supreme Court's directive aims to break the cycle by treating these crimes as a serious threat to national security and economic stability.
