Supreme Court Orders Government to Educate Public on Cyber Fraud

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has emphasized that the government must take proactive measures to educate vulnerable citizens and provide compensation to those who have lost their hard-earned money in cyber fraud cases. Special attention, the court noted, should be given to protecting elderly victims.

The remarks came on Monday while granting bail to Paramjit Kharb, who faces allegations of creating bank accounts to deposit money extorted from online fraud victims and selling these accounts to alleged cybercriminals. Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan presided over the bench.

Elderly Most at Risk

Justice Nagarathna instructed Additional Solicitor General S.D. Sanjay: “You must educate people. Use TV and radio broadcasts to explain how cybercriminals operate. They mostly target the elderly, who must understand the methods these fraudsters use. Victims have lost not just lakhs but crores of their hard-earned money.”

Bail Granted with Conditions

The bench granted Kharb bail, noting that other co-accused in the case had already been released. He was directed to deposit his passport with the trial court and report to the local police station on the first Monday of every month. The court emphasized that Kharb must fully cooperate in ongoing proceedings. The ASG had strongly opposed the bail petition.

ASG Highlights Cybercriminal Tactics

S.D. Sanjay explained that cybercriminals are highly confident and intelligent, sharing that he himself was almost a victim once. The ASG also noted that the government has launched a communication-based app where citizens can report cybercrimes, including mobile thefts.

Justice Nagarathna added: “Show people how these scammers operate and how frauds are carried out. Educate the public so they are prepared if such attempts come their way.”