London | 29 Aug 2026
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has said the Indian judiciary is responding proactively to emerging frauds such as digital arrest scams rather than waiting for Parliament to legislate. Speaking in London, he said the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the threat and sought a coordinated response from the Union and state governments.
CJI Surya Kant Highlights Supreme Court Action on Digital Arrest Scams
Delivering the closing address at the 43rd International Symposium on Economic Crime on Saturday, CJI Surya Kant referred to digital arrest fraud as an example of how courts are confronting new forms of economic and cyber-enabled crime.
Digital arrest scams typically involve fraudsters impersonating police officers, judges, investigating agencies or other government authorities through phone or video calls. Victims are falsely told that they face criminal proceedings and are pressured into transferring money.
The Chief Justice said the Supreme Court had directed the Union and states to assess the scale of the problem and had called for digital arrest fraud to be addressed as a distinct offence with punishment proportionate to the harm caused.
“This exemplifies a broader pattern: an Indian judiciary that proactively responds to emerging fraudulent schemes, rather than waiting for Parliament to address them.”
— Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice of India
Supreme Court Continues Monitoring Cyber Fraud Response
The Supreme Court has been examining digital arrest scams through suo motu proceedings and has repeatedly sought coordinated action from the Centre, states, banks, telecom companies, investigating agencies and online intermediaries.
A status report submitted by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Union Home Ministry showed a decline in complaints recorded on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. The figures placed before the court showed 123,672 digital arrest-related complaints in 2024, 58,239 in 2025 and 16,377 up to June 30, 2026.
While describing the fall as encouraging, the Supreme Court said continued monitoring remained necessary.
In its August 4 proceedings, a three-judge bench headed by CJI Surya Kant issued further interim directions aimed at preventing fraud, strengthening investigations and improving the recovery of victims’ money.
Court Focuses on Mule Accounts and SIM Card Misuse
The court has sought stronger mechanisms to identify and freeze suspected mule bank accounts used to move fraud proceeds. It has also examined proposals for quicker intervention when victims report fraudulent transfers.
The Department of Telecommunications was asked to report on action against telecom service providers and point-of-sale agents allegedly associated with SIM-related misuse. Authorities have also considered a unified system to detect duplicate SIM cards, improper KYC practices and suspicious issuance of additional connections.
The proceedings have also examined technological measures that could interrupt suspected fraudulent calls or transactions before victims lose their money. The matter is scheduled for further consideration by the Supreme Court on September 16, 2026.
CJI Calls India’s Economic Crime System a ‘Layered Architecture’
Justice Kant said India’s response to economic crime should not be seen through any single statute. He described it as a “layered architecture” developed over decades through legislation, institutions and judicial principles.
He cited laws including the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, while also acknowledging concerns raised over the operation of anti-money-laundering mechanisms.
The CJI said individuals had alleged misuse of the PMLA process, including arrests without adequately communicated grounds and prolonged custody that appeared disproportionate to the available material. He said courts had intervened where legal safeguards were violated.
Justice Kant also referred to Supreme Court jurisprudence requiring the grounds of arrest to be supplied to an accused in writing rather than merely communicated orally.
Due Process Must Remain Central, CJI Says
Referring to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Arvind Kejriwal versus Central Bureau of Investigation case, Justice Kant said the court had upheld the legality of the arrest but granted bail on the principle that extended pre-trial detention should not effectively become punishment.
He stressed that technological advances and tougher financial-crime enforcement could not displace fundamental principles including due process, proportionality and the presumption of innocence.
The CJI also called for stronger international cooperation against economic crime, noting that illicit money frequently moves across borders. He highlighted Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties as an important mechanism for tracing and recovering assets held overseas.
His remarks place digital arrest fraud within the wider challenge of modern transnational economic crime, as Indian authorities continue efforts to block fraudulent communications, identify financial networks and improve the recovery of money lost by victims.
