New Delhi, February 9: The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern regarding the rapid increase in digital arrest cases across the country.
During the hearing, the court noted that bank officials have been found colluding with the accused in these scams. Senior citizens are particularly vulnerable, with the court citing the example of a retired couple who lost their entire life savings to fraudsters.
Attorney General R. Venkataramani presented a status report on behalf of the central government. He informed the court that a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been developed to address digital arrests. The court emphasized the need for effective implementation of these measures.
The Supreme Court referenced the RBI’s SOP, which includes provisions for banks to take immediate action, such as placing temporary debit holds when cyber fraud is suspected. The court directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to implement the SOP issued on January 2, 2026, nationwide and ensure inter-agency coordination. Additionally, it ordered that these regulations be notified within two weeks.
The court has instructed the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) within four weeks. The CBI has been tasked with identifying and investigating digital arrest cases. The RBI has been directed to ensure that banks take appropriate actions. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has been instructed to submit timely reports.
This hearing is a significant step towards enforcing stringent measures against digital fraud. The court clarified that all agencies must collaborate to ensure the safety of senior citizens and the accountability of the banking system. The central government has already formed a high-level inter-departmental committee to investigate all aspects of these scams.