The Madhya Pradesh High Court has widened the scope of a petition concerning an alleged cyber fraud, observing that the investigation raises larger issues affecting cyber crime investigations across the country. While hearing Chaitali Mittra v. Superintendent of Police and Others, the Court directed that the Union of India and the Reserve Bank of India be added as parties to assist in examining whether a more coordinated investigation mechanism is required.
Background of the Case
The matter came up before Justice Himanshu Joshi after the Superintendent of Police, Jabalpur, the Station House Officer of Gorabazar Police Station, and the Investigating Officer appeared in compliance with an earlier court order. During the hearing, the Superintendent of Police explained the progress of the investigation and the practical difficulties involved in tracing those allegedly responsible for the cyber fraud. The Court was informed that information must be collected from multiple banks, different State police authorities, and digital platforms before meaningful action can be taken, often resulting in unavoidable delays.
The High Court noted that cyber fraud investigations differ significantly from conventional criminal investigations because every moment is crucial. It observed,
“Cyber fraud is a crime where every second is of significance.”
The Court said that prompt reporting, immediate freezing of bank accounts, real-time information sharing, and coordinated action by investigating agencies are essential to effectively trace offenders and preserve electronic evidence.
The Court further remarked that the existing system, where information passes through multiple agencies before field action begins, creates avoidable delays that benefit those allegedly involved. It observed that investigating agencies must be able to move faster than cyber offenders through an integrated and coordinated framework.
Finding that the issues extend beyond the facts of the present case, the Court directed the petitioner to implead the Union of India through the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Telecommunications, and the Reserve Bank of India as respondents. It also allowed the petitioner to implead the Director General of Police, Assam, after the investigating agency informed the Court that the principal suspect's location had been traced to Assam.
The Court further directed the State to ensure service of notice upon the Directors General of Police of West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Assam, and ordered all three officers to remain personally present on the next date of hearing with status reports.
The matter has been listed for 21 July 2026 for further consideration.
Case Details:
Case Title: Chaitali Mittra v. Superintendent of Police and Others
Case Number: WP No. 29570 of 2025
Judge: Justice Himanshu Joshi
Decision Date: 14 July 2026
