On Monday, October 27, 2025, the Supreme Court indicated its strong preference to hand over all investigations concerning “digital arrest” scams to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This decision stems from the alarming scale and widespread presence of these sophisticated cybercrimes across the nation. The Court has also requested comprehensive details of all First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged in various States and Union Territories regarding such incidents.
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi has formally issued notices to all States and Union Territories, seeking their response on these digital arrest cases. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a suo motu (on its own motion) case, initiated after an elderly woman reported being defrauded by scammers. The next hearing for these cases is scheduled for November 3.
During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, informed the court that many of these cybercrimes and digital arrest schemes originate from international locations, specifically mentioning Myanmar and Thailand. Recognizing the transnational nature of these frauds, the Supreme Court has instructed the CBI to devise a comprehensive strategy for investigating these complex cases.
The Court further asserted its intention to closely oversee the CBI’s investigation progress. It stated that it would issue any necessary directions to ensure a thorough and effective probe, underscoring the seriousness with which it views these offenses.
Furthermore, the Bench queried the CBI on its resource requirements, particularly asking if additional support, including specialized cyber experts from outside the police force, would be necessary to effectively tackle these digital arrest cases.
It’s worth noting that the Supreme Court had previously sought responses from both the Central government and the CBI on October 17. At that time, it voiced profound concern over the escalating wave of online frauds, particularly those involving “digital arrests” where fraudsters trick citizens using fabricated judicial orders. The Court emphasized that such deceptive practices fundamentally erode public trust in the legal and administrative systems.
A specific incident that prompted the Supreme Court’s direct intervention was the egregious “digital arrest” of an elderly couple in Ambala, Haryana. Fraudsters, using fake court orders and fabricated agency directives, managed to extort a staggering ₹1.05 crore from the couple.
The Bench clarified that these are not isolated or ordinary crimes that can simply be resolved by local police expediting their investigations. Instead, these cases demand a highly coordinated effort between Central and State police forces to fully expose and dismantle the extensive criminal networks behind these fraudulent operations.