Relevance: GS-2 (Judiciary, Policing, Cybercrime) | Source: The Hindu, Supreme Court Order

The Supreme Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a pan-India probe into rising ‘digital arrest’ scams, calling it an extraordinary circumstance that justifies bypassing the usual requirement of State consent under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act.
The Court noted that victims—mostly senior citizens—have already lost more than ₹3,000 crore to such frauds.

What is a Digital Arrest? 

Scammers impersonate law-enforcement or government officials, claim that the victim is under investigation, and force them to remain on video calls, coercing them into transferring money.
It falls under wider cybercrimes such as:

• Digital arrests – extortion using fake claims of government authority
• Investment scams – duping victims with fake high-return schemes
• Part-time job scams – luring users through “easy tasks” before extorting money

Concerns & Way Ahead 

Concerns:

• Targeting of vulnerable groups, especially elderly.
• Use of cross-border digital infrastructure.
• Weak coordination across States under the IT Act, 2000.

Court’s Directions / Fixes:

• CBI to investigate digital arrest scams first, followed by investment and job scams.
• States such as Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka, Punjab, etc., instructed to grant consent for CBI investigation.
• Strengthening of cyber-forensics and victim-protection mechanisms.

About the CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is India’s chief investigative agency, functioning under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 and administratively under the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT).

Key Roles:

• Investigates corruption, major crimes, economic offences, and cyber frauds.
• Serves as India’s Interpol liaison.
• Needs State consent (general or specific) to operate within States.
• Not a fully statutory body; faces autonomy concerns.

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. The Supreme Court may direct the CBI to investigate a case without State consent only under exceptional circumstances.
2. Digital arrest scams involve impersonation of government authorities to extort money.
3. Cybercrime investigation in India is governed exclusively by the National Investigation Agency Act.
   

Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3