In a digital-first nation where online services now govern banking, healthcare, education, and governance, a new and invisible enemy is taking root. Cybercrime, once a niche concern, is now a mainstream menace. Recent observations by two major Indian courts — the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Allahabad High Court — have highlighted how this modern crime wave is quietly eroding public trust in Digital India.
Both courts have described cybercrime as a growing danger capable of devastating personal lives and national initiatives. While the Allahabad High Court termed it a “silent virus,” the Punjab and Haryana High Court warned about organized cybercrime cartels exploiting weak regulations and enforcement.
Organized Crimes from Behind Screens
The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently expressed serious concern about how cybercrime networks are now operating like organized cartels. In multiple cases, including one involving an accused found with 35 active SIM cards, the court noted that criminals often work alone but under the direction of larger digital crime syndicates.
These operations typically involve impersonating bank officials, police officers, or family members to trick people into sharing sensitive information or transferring money. The court observed that such crimes have now become alarmingly common, exploiting people’s trust in digital services.
“These criminals, while sitting alone in a room or at a remote location, are robbing innocent citizens of their life savings,” the court remarked in a recent judgment.
Weak Spots in Digital Regulation
A key factor enabling this rise in cybercrime, according to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, is the misuse of mobile SIM cards. In several cases, fraudsters were found using multiple SIM cards to avoid detection and carry out scams. The court suggested implementing stricter controls on SIM card issuance, even hinting at limiting citizens to one SIM per person to help curb the problem.
The Court also criticized the poor handling of cybercrime complaints by local police and administrative authorities, ordering them to submit detailed reports explaining why FIRs were not being registered in cases of reported digital fraud.
A Virus Quietly Spreading
Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court added its own voice to the issue, calling cybercrime a “silent virus”. In a judgment from earlier this year, the court described how these digital scams silently infect society, targeting victims regardless of their age, education, or background.
“Cyber‑crime in our country is like a silent virus — stealthy, disruptive, and costing society more than just money, but trust, security, and progress,” noted Justice Ashutosh Srivastava. The Court emphasized that unchecked cybercrime risks undermining the very foundation of Digital Bharat, where public trust is crucial for digital governance and financial services.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
Courts Demand Action, Authorities Struggle to Respond
Both courts made it clear that existing laws and police mechanisms are not enough to tackle the sophisticated nature of modern cybercrime. The Punjab and Haryana High Court stressed that these crimes require custodial interrogation to trace the larger network of accomplices, money trails, and digital footprints.
They also called for dedicated cybercrime units, policy reforms, and tighter controls on digital identity tools like SIM cards. The pressure is now on state and central authorities to respond with serious and immediate action to protect citizens and preserve confidence in India’s digital economy.
As India’s digital ambitions grow, so too does the challenge of securing its people in cyberspace — and the courts are making it clear that time is running out.