'Worst Kind of Crimes': SC Says No Bail in Digital Arrest Cases Unless There Are Extraordinary Grounds

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (July 27) said that digital arrest cases are the “worst kind of crimes” against people and no bail would be granted in such cases unless some extraordinary grounds exist.

“Digital arrest scams are worst kind of crime against people, especially senior citizens whose life savings and hard-earned money are fraudulently siphoned out when they need it the most. In cases related to digital arrest, we will not grant bail unless extraordinary grounds exist,” said a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, reported Times of India.

The top court made the observations while hearing the bail plea of an accused wherein the person said that he had only assisted the main accused in opening a bank account and that he has been in custody for more than a year. The court said that his act made him an accomplice in the crime.

Last week, the bench had said that investigative agencies must invoke strict provisions of anti-organised crime laws against those perpetrating digital arrest of cyber fraud, reported TOI.

“Digital arrest and cyber fraud cases must be equated with robbery and dacoity,” the court said.

In November last year, the Supreme Court had called for stringent action against digital arrest scams after it was informed that Indians had been defrauded of nearly Rs 3,000 crore in such cyber frauds.

The court had taken cognisance of the issue after a senior citizen couple wrote to the Supreme Court about scammers swindling them of Rs 1.5 crore by impersonating CBI officials, Intelligence Bureau officers and members of the judiciary.

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