The Supreme Court of India has ruled that people accused of involvement in 'digital arrest' scams will not be granted bail except in extraordinary circumstances. The ruling, delivered by a bench of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar, aims to curb a growing menace where fraudsters impersonate police officers or government officials to extort money from victims. The court observed that such scams undermine public trust and cause severe financial and psychological harm.
Digital arrest scams typically involve callers claiming the victim is under investigation for a crime and demanding payment to avoid arrest. The Supreme Court's order makes bail the exception, not the rule, for those accused in these cases. The decision came while hearing a bail plea from an accused in a case involving multiple victims across states.
The bench noted the organized nature of these scams, often run by networks using technology to spoof phone numbers and identities. The court said that releasing accused persons on bail could allow them to continue similar activities. The ruling directs trial courts to apply stricter standards when evaluating bail applications in such cases.
Legal experts say the order will affect thousands of pending bail petitions in lower courts. Police have welcomed the move, arguing that it will help stem the rapid rise of such frauds. However, the ruling also raises questions about the rights of accused individuals, as some may be wrongly implicated. The court clarified that each case must be examined on its merits, but the general principle is against bail.
For the public, the ruling signals a tougher stance against cyber fraud. The court also urged state governments to set up specialized investigation units to speed up trials. The next step is for lower courts to apply the new standard consistently, while balancing individual liberty and societal protection.