"Digital arrests and such cyber offences are digital dacoity, there is no question of giving any judicial forum to such persons," the CJI observed.
New Delhi:Describing cyber fraud involving fake digital arrests as "digital dacoity", the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea seeking consolidation of 35 criminal cases registered against two persons across 12 states for allegedly allowing their company's bank account to be used for cybercrime.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana expressed concern over organised cybercrime rackets targeting senior citizens.
"Digital arrests and such cyber offences are digital dacoity, there is no question of giving any judicial forum to such persons," the CJI observed.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Gourab Kumar Saha and Nidhi Bhandari, who sought transfer and consolidation of cases registered in several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Telangana and Gujarat.
Referring to one of the alleged offences, the CJI said an 81-year-old resident of Ernakulam in Kerala had been defrauded of ₹1.90 crore, which was deposited in the petitioners' alleged mule account.
A mule account is a bank account used to receive or transfer proceeds of fraudulent transactions.
Justice Bagchi questioned why victims and investigating agencies should be inconvenienced merely to accommodate the accused.
"Your right to seek transfer of cases to a place of your convenience cannot override the right of the victims and the investigating agency," he said.
The bench observed that consolidation could be considered if investigating agencies sought it for administrative convenience, but not solely on the accused persons' request.
The petitioners subsequently withdrew their plea.
