The Allahabad High Court has granted anticipatory bail to a key accused allegedly involved in a ₹95 crore scam that mimicked high-profile law enforcement agencies to extort money from victims. The decision has sparked legal debate over balancing individual liberty with the expanding scale of cyber-enabled financial crimes.
According to the prosecution, the accused was part of a sophisticated syndicate that ran a “digital arrest” scam — impersonating agencies such as the CBI, NCB, and crime branches via WhatsApp video calls to threaten and coerce victims into transferring massive sums under the guise of resolving fictitious criminal cases.
The scam first came to light when a Lucknow-based individual was duped out of ₹95 lakh. Subsequent investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) revealed a broader racket spread across states and potentially abroad, using SIM spoofing, deepfake-like impersonation, and digital wallet laundering.
The Court, while granting bail, noted that custodial interrogation may not be necessary in this instance, especially since digital evidence had already been seized and preserved. The bench emphasised the principle that anticipatory bail is not barred merely because the allegations are serious, so long as cooperation with the investigation can be ensured.
Legal experts are divided. Some see this as a reaffirmation of constitutional protections under Article 21. Others warn it may set a precedent that emboldens cybercriminals if bail is granted without clear custodial scrutiny.
This case underscores the urgent need for robust cybercrime jurisprudence in India, where traditional bail doctrines may struggle to address the complex, transnational nature of digital fraud.