Supreme Court’s Bold Move: CBI Gets Free Rein to Hunt Cybercriminals Preying on Seniors

Updated: December 01, 2025 19:02

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The Supreme Court has empowered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with unrestricted authority to investigate digital arrest scam cases across India. The court directed all states to cooperate and asked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to deploy AI tools for timely detection and prevention of such cyber frauds targeting especially senior citizens.

In a landmark move addressing the rising menace of digital arrest scams, the Supreme Court of India has granted the Central Bureau of Investigation sweeping powers to conduct a pan-India probe into these cybercrimes. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating police or government officials through calls or messages, coercing victims into paying money under threats of arrest.

The apex court emphasized the urgency of the issue, particularly highlighting how senior citizens have become primary targets. To facilitate a robust investigation, the Court ordered all states to hand over relevant FIRs under the Information Technology Act to the CBI and instructed uncooperative states to provide explicit consent.

Further, the Supreme Court has sought the Reserve Bank of India's assistance in deploying artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to detect suspicious bank accounts and freeze illicit gains swiftly. The Court also directed full cooperation from telecom authorities, IT intermediaries, and authorized the CBI to seek help from Interpol to tackle the global footprint of these scams.

The Court has mandated states to establish cybercrime investigation centers and preserve crucial mobile data. Investigations will also include probing bank officials complicit in these frauds under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Key Highlights:

Supreme Court empowers CBI with full investigative freedom on digital arrest scams
All states to transfer FIRs promptly; non-consenting states must cooperate explicitly
RBI notified to use AI/ML tools for fraud detection and freezing illicit accounts
Telecom and IT intermediaries mandated to extend complete cooperation
Interpol assistance permitted for international scam components
Focus on safeguarding senior citizens, the primary scam victims
Directed states to set up specialized cybercrime investigation facilities

Sources: Times of India, Indian Express, NDTV, Economic Times, India TV News

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