New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has taken a serious note of the emerging trend of “new age” cyber crimes, such as the disturbing phenomenon of “digital arrests”, and has sought a response from the Centre on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed regarding the matter. The bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhayaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela has granted the Centre a period of four weeks to file a counter affidavit/reply, with the next hearing scheduled for March 19.
The high court, in 2024, issued notices to various government bodies including the Centre, the Delhi government, the Delhi Police, and the Reserve Bank of India, seeking their responses on the plea. The PIL, filed by advocates Akshya and Urvashi Bhatia, aims to draw attention to the increasing threat posed by cyber criminals who are resorting to sophisticated tactics to exploit the legal system for their nefarious ends. The petitioners highlighted instances where forged court orders, including those of the Supreme Court, FIRs, and arrest warrants were being used by cyber criminals to extort money from unsuspecting citizens.
One of the petitioners came across a counterfeit warrant of arrest supposedly issued by a Delhi court as part of a “digital arrest” scam, bringing to light the dangerous implications of such fraudulent activities. The plea underscores the urgent need to address the rapidly multiplying and mutating menace of cyber crimes, which now include the insidious tactic of digital arrests that undermine the integrity and functionality of the criminal justice system.
The petition also points out the alarming trend of criminals impersonating government and police officials to deceive the public and exploit their trust in institutions. It calls for better coordination between various government agencies to ensure swifter investigations and prevent the laundering of proceeds from cyber crimes.
The court acknowledged that cyber crime is a pressing issue affecting everyone and emphasized the importance of increasing awareness among the public to combat this menace. It stressed the need for law enforcement agencies to adapt to new challenges posed by evolving technology and called for reforms in the policing system to effectively deal with cyber crimes.
In conclusion, the Delhi High Court’s decision to seek the Centre’s response on the PIL addressing “new age” cyber crimes reflects the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for coordinated efforts to combat this growing threat. As the legal battle against cyber criminals intensifies, it is imperative for authorities to equip themselves with the necessary tools and knowledge to safeguard the interests of innocent citizens and preserve the integrity of the justice system.