Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has drawn attention to the growing menace of cybercrime after discovering that multiple fraudulent websites had been created using his name to deceive the public, underscoring how cyber fraud tactics now even target senior judicial figures.
In remarks made during a recent function, the CJI highlighted the need for heightened cybersecurity awareness and stronger law enforcement mechanisms to tackle online deception, identity misuse, and scams that exploit trust in public institutions and personalities.
Fake Websites and Identity Misuse
Justice Surya Kant said that unscrupulous actors have created websites purporting to be linked to him, including sites that falsely suggested connections to charitable work, legal assistance services or influential public communication channels. These sites were not affiliated with the Supreme Court or the judiciary and appeared to have been designed to mislead visitors — potentially for scams, data harvesting or financial fraud.
The CJI noted that such misuse of his name — and by extension names of other public officials — reflects how cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated in exploiting personal identities and public trust to advance fraudulent schemes. These fake domains can be used to deceive, extract personal information, or circulate misleading content.
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Cybercrime: A Broader National Challenge
Justice Kant emphasised that identity misuse via the internet is part of a broader and evolving cybercrime threat landscape that affects citizens, institutions and even the judiciary. He said that digital deception and online frauds are becoming more prevalent, involving phishing sites, fraudulent apps, impersonation channels, and cloned web portals.
He urged citizens to be cautious when interacting with online content, especially unsolicited websites and platforms claiming to represent influential people or institutions. He described cybersecurity not just as a technical challenge but as a national priority requiring collaboration between government, judiciary, police and technology stakeholders. (dnaindia.com)
Judicial Perspective and Public Outreach
In his comments, the CJI also stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns to educate users about recognising fake websites, scams, and impersonation strategies. Cybercrime — from identity theft to financial fraud — can be mitigated if individuals know how to verify official sources, report suspicious activity, and avoid interacting with unverifiable content.
Justice Surya Kant’s remarks are significant because they come from the judiciary’s highest echelons, signalling that cyber threats are not limited to isolated sectors but affect law, governance and everyday civic trust. Public figures often become targets of impersonation, and when judicial leaders speak on the issue, it raises the profile of cybercrime as a national concern.
Law Enforcement and Policy Implications
Officials and cybercrime experts have echoed the CJI’s concerns, noting that:
- cybercriminals increasingly deploy cloned websites and deepfakes to deceive users
- legal frameworks and enforcement capabilities must be strengthened
- coordination is needed between state and central cybercrime units
- proactive monitoring and takedown mechanisms for fake domains are essential
The collective view within the legal and technology community is that cybersecurity literacy and legal action must go hand in hand to deter malicious actors who exploit digital anonymity and jurisdictional gaps to carry out fraud.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
