Calling it a “matter of grave concern”, the Supreme Court on October 17 took suo motu cognisance of matters pertaining to “digital arrests”. The trigger was a case filed by a senior couple from Ambala, Haryana, who had lost over Rs. 1 crore to a group that convinced them they were under investigation by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate. The fraudsters sent them court orders that looked genuine, carrying what appeared to be the seal and signatures of the SC itself.

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said that “the fabrication of judicial orders bearing forged signatures of the judges strikes at the very foundation of public trust in the judicial system besides the rule of law. Such action constitutes a direct assault on the dignity and majesty of the institution. T

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