The Supreme Court of India on Monday expressed serious concern over the rising number of digital arrest scams across the country, directing all states and Union Territories to submit detailed reports on registered FIRs, complaints, and ongoing investigations. The apex court said it was considering assigning the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to coordinate the probe for better national and transnational crime tracking.
The matter will next be heard on November 3.
CBI May Take Over: Court Seeks Unified National Strategy
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi observed that the scams have taken on a “pan-India nature and magnitude”, often with links to offshore networks. It noted that these cases require a coordinated national approach.
“Please find out whether the CBI has the resources to handle all these cases,” the bench told the government.
Justice Kant added, “If they need experts in cybercrime, they may tell us.”
The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, informed the court that the CBI is already investigating some of these cases with assistance from the Cyber Crime Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
‘The Problem Is Volume’ SC on Scale of Cyber Offences
Justice Bagchi highlighted that the real challenge lies not in individual cases but in the overwhelming scale of such offences.
“The problem is volume. We saw this in Ponzi schemes too — the pressure on CBI was massive. Are you prepared for an exclusive investigation? That’s the extra outlay you might need,” he remarked.
The court acknowledged that while the CBI’s expertise is vital, its capacity to handle the growing number of digital arrest cases nationwide needs evaluation.
Digital Arrest Scams: How They Work
The digital arrest scam typically involves fraudsters impersonating police officers, CBI agents, or judicial authorities through phone or video calls. Victims, often senior citizens or professionals, are falsely told they are implicated in crimes or financial violations. The scammers then extort money under the guise of “bail,” “verification,” or “legal settlement.”
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue earlier this month after a sharp spike in such cases, particularly those originating from offshore call centres operating in Southeast Asia.
Bench Seeks Data from All States
The bench has now directed all states and Union Territories to furnish:
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Number of complaints received
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FIRs registered
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Progress of ongoing investigations
It clarified that while a uniform probe plan is desirable, the court will first review state submissions before issuing formal directions.
“We are not issuing blanket orders yet. Let us first hear from the states,” the bench said.
CBI’s Role Under Review
The court is considering entrusting the overall probe to the CBI to ensure coordination and consistency, especially for cases with international links. However, it has sought clarity from the Centre on whether the agency has “sufficient manpower and resources” to manage the investigations across India.
Justice Kant emphasized that transnational cybercrime demands a centralized and specialized approach, involving expert collaboration between the CBI, MHA’s cyber division, and state police units.
Apex Court’s Next Steps
The Supreme Court will review responses from all states and Union Territories on November 3 before finalizing whether to hand over the investigations to the CBI or form a multi-agency task force.
The court has also asked the Union Government to propose ways to enhance cybersecurity awareness among citizens, particularly the elderly, who have been primary targets of such scams.
At a Glance: The Case So Far
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Issue: Surge in digital arrest scams across India
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Hearing Date: November 3, 2025
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Bench: Justices Surya Kant & Joymalya Bagchi
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Directive: States & UTs to file FIR & investigation data
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Possible Outcome: Nationwide probe led by CBI
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Key Concern: Volume of cases & cross-border fraud links
