Supreme Court calls cybercrime ‘digital dacoity’, refuses to consolidate cases

New Delhi: Terming cybercrime “digital dacoity”, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea seeking the consolidation of more than 30 criminal cases pending against two people in 12 states for allegedly allowing their company’s bank account to be used as a mule account to facilitate various offences.

“Digital arrests and such cyber offences are digital dacoity… there is no question of giving any judicial forum to such persons,” a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana said.

Strongly condemning organised cybercrime rackets that target senior citizens through so-called digital arrests, the Chief Justice said those involved must face stringent action.

“An 81-year-old from Ernakulam (Kerala) was defrauded of Rs 1.90 crore and his money was deposited in your mule account,” the CJI said.

“You decided to use the account of your company for cybercrime like digital arrest,” the bench said while refusing to entertain the plea filed by Gourab Kumar Saha and Nidhi Bhandari.

The bench declined to allow the accused to use the proceedings to disrupt investigations being conducted in different states.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned why victims should be required to travel to Delhi merely for the convenience of an accused seeking to consolidate the cases.

“Your right to seek transfer of cases to a place of your convenience cannot override the right of the victims and the investigating agency… We can consider if Delhi Police says so for the convenience of investigation. We do not take your weight to dilute the investigation across the country,” Justice Bagchi said.

The Chief Justice also questioned whether a victim whose defrauded money had been deposited in Hong Kong and Bangkok could be expected to travel there to seek redress.

The petitioners ultimately withdrew the plea.

According to the report, 35 criminal cases relating to cybercrime are pending against the accused in several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Telangana and Gujarat.