Terming cyber crime “digital dacoity”, the Supreme Court on Wednesday (October 28) refused to consolidate more than 30 criminal complaints pending against two persons across 12 states. The accused allegedly allowed 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 cyber crime rackets targeting senior citizens through digital arrests, the CJI said those involved must face stringent action.

“An 81-year-old from Ernakulam (Kerala) was defrauded of ₹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 cyber crime like digital arrest,” the bench said while refusing to entertain the plea filed by Gourab Kumar Saha and Nidhi Bhandari.

The bench refused to allow the accused to use such proceedings to disrupt investigations across different states.

Justice Bagchi questioned why victims should be forced 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.

Source link