The Rajasthan High Court has taken strict suo motu cognizance of the growing wave of “digital arrest” cyber scams, issuing notices to both the Union and state governments. The bench, led by Chief Justice M. M. Shrivastava and Justice Manish Sharma, has demanded a detailed action plan within four weeks to curb these sophisticated online frauds. The Chief Justice shared that he himself narrowly escaped being ensnared by such a scam.
Chief Justice’s Personal Brush with Scam—A Warning Sign
During the hearing, Chief Justice Shrivastava revealed a frightening personal experience. “I once received a call from someone in uniform,” he stated, recalling how he immediately handed the call over to the registrar to handle. This admission underscored the sophistication and danger of such scams, which often use impersonation via video calls to intimidate victims into transferring funds.
The court highlighted the gravity of the issue: victims not only endure substantial financial losses but have also faced severe psychological trauma, with some cases tragically resulting in death. The bench emphasised that digital arrest scams have become a serious menace affecting individuals from all walks of life.
Urgent Call for Systemic Safeguards and Legal Reform
The High Court directed both state and central authorities to submit a concrete action plan within four weeks. It also urged the Reserve Bank of India to bolster anti-fraud mechanisms, especially in blocking fraudulent online transactions. The court emphasised the need for a robust grievance redressal system across digital portals and apps, urging coordination between the RBI, telecom regulators, and law enforcement agencies.
Existing initiatives—such as “Operation Anti-Virus,” set up in collaboration with the government and telecom sectors, and a Cyber Security Centre at Jodhpur’s police university—were acknowledged. However, the court insisted that more proactive and comprehensive action is needed.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.