Supreme Court: No bail in digital arrest cases barring exceptional grounds
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Supreme Court has ruled that bail will not be granted to accused in digital arrest scams unless extraordinary grounds exist. This comes as the court termed digital arrests the 'worst kind of crime against senior citizens' and directed that such cases be equated with robbery and dacoity.
Background
Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating law enforcement to extort money, often targeting senior citizens. Last year, the Supreme Court took cognisance, tasked CBI with pan-India investigation, and activated inter-departmental mechanisms to curb the menace. Over Rs 3,000 crore has been lost to such scams.
Key facts
Supreme Court bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana ruled against bail in digital arrest cases unless extraordinary grounds exist.
The court called digital arrests the 'worst kind of crime against senior citizens' whose life savings are fraudulently siphoned.
An accused who helped open a bank account for the main accused was denied bail, being deemed an accomplice.
The court directed police to invoke stringent anti-organised crime law provisions against digital arrest offenders.
Digital arrest and cyber fraud cases must be equated with robbery and dacoity, the bench stated.
Over Rs 3,000 crore has been cheated through digital arrest and cyber heists, according to probe agencies.
Last year, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance and tasked CBI with pan-India investigation.
An inter-departmental mechanism involving multiple agencies was activated to curb the menace.
Prelims pointers
- Supreme Court bench: CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi, V Mohana
- Digital arrest scams: impersonation of law enforcement for extortion
- Anti-organised crime law provisions invoked
- CBI tasked with pan-India investigation
- Rs 3,000 crore lost to digital arrest and cyber fraud
Mains angles
- GS2: Role of judiciary in protecting vulnerable groups like senior citizens from cyber fraud
- GS3: Cyber security challenges and need for stringent legal framework against digital arrest scams
- GS2: Inter-departmental coordination between law enforcement agencies to tackle organised cyber crime