The Supreme Court has raised concerns over the increasing incidents of online fraud in India, particularly cases involving the digital arrest of citizens through forged judicial orders. On Friday, the court called for responses from the Centre and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), emphasizing that these offenses undermine public trust in the judicial system.
The court took notice of a troubling case involving a senior citizen couple from Ambala, Haryana, who were targeted by fraudsters who presented false court orders and identification to extort ₹1.05 crore. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi stated that this crime transcends ordinary criminal activity, necessitating coordinated efforts between central and state police to fully investigate the extent of this criminal enterprise.
Highlighting the alarming rise in similar digital arrest cases nationwide, the bench requested both the Centre and CBI respond to the suo motu proceedings initiated after a 73-year-old woman informed Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai on September 21 about her experience of being defrauded through counterfeit court orders.
The court underscored that the forgery of judicial documents, featuring fake signatures of judges to wrongfully arrest individuals—particularly vulnerable senior citizens—poses a serious threat to public trust in judicial institutions. It stated, “The fabrication of judicial orders bearing forged signatures of judges strikes at the very foundation of public trust in the judicial system, besides the rule of law. Such action constitutes a direct assault on the dignity of the institution.”
The bench emphasized that the forgery of legal documents and the illicit use of judicial seals and orders are critical issues that cannot be treated merely as isolated acts of cybercrime or cheating. The court noted that the reported cases of such crimes have become prevalent across the country, calling for decisive action and collaboration between various law enforcement agencies to uncover the broader criminal operations involved in forging judicial documents and extorting innocent people.
The court sought the guidance of the Attorney General and directed the Haryana government, alongside Ambala’s cyber crime department, to submit a status report detailing the investigation into the case concerning the senior couple.
The woman reported that scammers had displayed a forged court order, complete with a stamp and seal, to facilitate her and her husband’s arrest from September 3 to 16, ultimately resulting in the fraud involving multiple bank transactions exceeding ₹1 crore. She also revealed that the false court orders were presented during a series of audio and video calls by individuals masquerading as CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and judicial officials.
The Supreme Court has been informed that two FIRs have been filed with the Ambala cyber crime department under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitya (BNS).
