In an extraordinary move, the Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognisance of a shocking “digital arrest” scam, after a senior citizen couple lost over ₹1 crore to fraudsters posing as CBI and ED officers. The conmen went a step further forging Supreme Court orders and using fake video calls with alleged judicial officials to extort money. The bench, led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, heard the matter on October 17, 2025, expressing “deep anguish” over what it called a direct attack on the integrity of the justice system.
Background
The case began when the Court received a complaint from an elderly couple in Ambala who were deceived between September 3 and 16, 2025. They were made to believe they were under investigation for financial crimes. The fraudsters produced fake arrest and freeze orders allegedly issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to frighten them into transferring ₹1.05 crore through multiple bank transactions.
The victims, realizing later that they had been duped, approached authorities. Two FIRs were registered by the Cyber Crime Branch, Ambala, under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, indicating an organized criminal network.
Ordinarily, such cases would be handled at the state police level. But what stunned the Court was the discovery that forged judicial documents, complete with fabricated seals and signatures of judges, were being circulated via WhatsApp and video conferencing platforms.
Court’s Observations
Calling it a “brazen criminal misuse” of judicial authority, the bench remarked that the forgery of Supreme Court and High Court documents “strikes at the very foundation of public trust.” The justices observed, “The fabrication of judicial orders bearing forged signatures of Judges constitutes a direct assault on the dignity and majesty of this institution.”
The bench further noted that this was not an isolated event. “It has been reported many times in responsible media that similar incidents have occurred in different parts of the country,” the Court said, taking judicial notice of the growing trend.
The Court also used the term “cyber arrest” a phrase increasingly used for scams where victims are threatened with fake warrants or legal actions online. Justice Kant noted that the elderly are being targeted disproportionately, often losing their savings out of fear and confusion.
Decision
In its interim order, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Union of India (Ministry of Home Affairs), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the State of Haryana, and the Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime, Ambala. It also requested the Attorney General for India to assist in the matter, signaling that the Court views this as a national threat.
The bench directed that a complete set of the victims’ complaints and documents be forwarded to all noticees and the Attorney General’s office. The Ambala Cyber Crime Superintendent has been ordered to file a detailed status report on the progress of the investigation.
The matter will next be heard on October 27, 2025.
As Justice Bagchi remarked informally before rising, “This is not merely about cybercrime. When our own court’s name and seal are forged, it becomes a question of institutional sanctity. The response must be firm and coordinated.”
Case: In Re: Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents
Type of Case: Suo Motu Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 3 of 2025
Date of Hearing: 17 October 2025
