All States, UTs get SC notices in suo moto case on ‘digital arrest’ scams

 

 

THE Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to all States and Union Territories in the suo moto case concerning the rising menace of “digital arrest” scams, where fraudsters impersonate police and judicial officers using forged court orders to extort money from citizens. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed all State Governments to submit details of First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in connection with such scams and remarked, “We are not issuing directions today.

 

We are issuing notice to the States — to ensure there is a uniform investigation.” The Justice Kant-led Bench added that “digital arrest” scams appeared to be pan-India, or even cross-border, in nature, as it suggested that the investigation be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). “There are more than one instances that have taken place in different parts. We are inclined to entrust the matter to the CBI in respect of all the States because this is a kind of crime which may be operating pan-India, or even across the border,” the apex court remarked. Appearing for the Union of India, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the top court that the CBI was already investigating several similar cases. The Attorney General for India, R Venkataramani apprised the Justice Kant-led Bench that the money-laundering networks behind such scams were often based outside India, operating from countries such as Myanmar and Thailand.