Jaipur: Highlighting the importance of dignity and protection for vulnerable senior citizens who fall prey to crimes, the Rajasthan High Court has directed the state government to arrange high-quality boarding and lodging for an 83-year-old woman at the center of an alleged ₹80 lakh cyber fraud case.
The order came during a hearing on Wednesday before a single bench of Justice Sameer Jain, who also emphasized that the Director General of Police and the Superintendent of Police for Cybercrime must attend the next hearing via video conferencing. The court has scheduled the next hearing for Friday, with the public prosecutor instructed to present the complete case record before the bench.
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The directive followed the filing of a second bail application by the accused, Naveen Temani, who cited an alleged settlement in the matter.
During the previous hearing, the elderly complainant, a resident of Ajmer who appeared in a wheelchair and lives alone, voiced her distress in court. She stated that she felt compelled to accept a settlement of ₹10 lakh, a sum far below her actual losses. She expressed frustration at the prolonged investigation and the ongoing sense of injustice, describing herself as a victim of serious “white-collar cybercrime.”
Justice Jain was moved by her situation, noting that the case had “shocked the conscience” of the court and expressed concern about the manner in which the investigation had been handled.
Since the complainant resides in Ajmer and travels to Jaipur for court proceedings, the bench made it clear that if she chooses to stay in Jaipur during hearings, her accommodations must meet the highest standards, with all expenses borne by the state government. The court warned that any failure to provide adequate care and facilities for the victim would be treated with the utmost seriousness.
Legal experts have said the case highlights the critical need to ensure the protection and dignity of cybercrime victims. A senior legal authority remarked, “This case demonstrates that sensitivity toward vulnerable groups and their protection must remain a top priority in judicial processes. Any lapse in investigation would constitute a breach of constitutional responsibility.”
The court also directed that all travel and lodging expenses incurred by the complainant be fully documented, and the state administration must ensure that she faces no inconvenience during hearings.
The sensitivity shown by the court, along with its explicit instructions, sends a strong message to the state government and administration regarding the safeguarding of elderly and vulnerable citizens. The state now bears the responsibility of ensuring that the victim’s dignity and safety remain paramount, and any form of negligence will be taken seriously.
In the next phase of the hearing, the court is expected to consider the matter in greater detail, with the public prosecutor likely presenting the full investigation report and related documents. This will clarify the steps the administration has taken to guarantee justice and protection for the complainant.
As such, the case has become a symbol of the judiciary’s proactive role in protecting the dignity and safety of cyber fraud victims and may serve as a guiding precedent for other state administrations.
