SC Halts Release of Accused in 'Digital Arrest' Scam Targeting Elderly Advocate
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In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has temporarily barred the release of suspects involved in a ₹3.29 crore 'digital arrest' scam targeting a 72-year-old Supreme Court lawyer. The court described the case as 'unusual' and warned that offenders would face 'stern action' to deter similar crimes. The scam, known as 'digital arrest,' involves fraudsters posing as law enforcement or court officials to intimidate victims through audio and video calls. They demand money from the victims, often elderly people, by threatening to arrest them. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi took note of the case after the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association (SCAORA) sought strict action against the perpetrators. Despite the police recovering over ₹42 lakh from the accused, the victim's bank refused to accept the money. The court has vowed to deal with such cases firmly and is working on guidelines to prevent similar crimes. The bench also plans to raise awareness about cybercrime through an advertisement across India. The Supreme Court has taken several steps to address the growing problem of digital arrest scams, including entrusting the CBI with the probe and seeking details of FIRs registered in different states and Union territories. The court has also expressed concern over the country's failure to ratify a United Nations treaty on cybercrime, which would aid in tracing offenders across borders. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly people to cybercrime and the need for stricter laws to prevent such incidents. The Supreme Court's decision to halt the release of the accused is a significant step towards protecting the rights of victims and sending a strong message to offenders.
