Surya Kant, the Chief Justice of India (CJI), has urged a comprehensive, coordinated response to the rapidly rising menace of cyber frauds, calling it a “mass-scale malaise” that threatens financial security, institutional trust and access to justice in the digital era. His remarks came at a three-day national conference on cyber security, awareness and inclusive access to justice held in Jaipur, where he stressed the need for collective action by government, judiciary, enforcement agencies and citizens.
Justice Surya Kant highlighted that cybercrime in India is no longer a limited phenomenon — it has ballooned into one of the nation’s most pervasive law-and-order challenges, with over 66 lakh cyber fraud complaints currently pending nationwide. He described cybercrime as a threat that travels at the speed of light, citing financial losses, emotional trauma and erosion of institutional trust as key consequences.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
Digital Era Challenges And Personal Example
Illustrating the complexity and reach of cyber threats, the CJI shared a personal experience of fake websites created in his name being used to send fraudulent messages — many of which were traced to foreign origins such as Nigeria. He noted that even his family members had received such messages, underscoring how deeply embedded and deceptive these digital fraud mechanisms have become.
Justice Kant urged the public to adopt greater digital vigilance — “think before you act and understand before you click” — warning that scammers often exploit psychological manipulation, greed and misplaced trust to ensnare victims. His comments resonated with ongoing Supreme Court interventions in cases such as “digital arrest” scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement and judicial authorities to coerce victims into transferring significant sums of money.
Judicial And Institutional Response
The CJI’s call for coordinated action builds on a series of judicial efforts to tackle cybercrime. The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of digital arrest and similar fraud cases, emphasising the need for robust preventive frameworks, technological safeguards and cooperation between law enforcement agencies, banks and regulators. Courts have also underscored the importance of coordinated mechanisms such as pan-India Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and inter-agency data sharing to counter cyber-enabled financial crimes.
At the conference, Justice Surya Kant framed cybersecurity not just as a technological issue but as a fundamental pillar of justice, warning that loss of personal data, financial harm or reputational damage can undermine citizens’ dignity, livelihood and confidence in the justice system. He also acknowledged the positive aspects of digital innovation but stressed that technology must assist justice, not replace or undermine it.
What Comes Next
The CJI’s comments reflect a growing recognition at the highest levels of the Indian judiciary that cybercrime requires multi-pronged solutions — blending legal reforms, citizen education, institutional cooperation, technology safeguards and global collaboration to effectively address threats that are borderless and rapidly evolving.
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.
