CJI Surya Kant Calls Cyber Criminals “Parasites”, Denies Bail In Cyber Fraud Case

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday strongly criticised cyber fraud offenders while refusing bail to an accused in a digital cheating case, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant describing cyber criminals as “parasites” who systematically defraud investors across the country.

During the hearing, the bench headed by the CJI observed that cyber fraud cases often involve large-scale financial deception spanning multiple states. “You all are parasites. You take money from investors and dupe them. We have to be very harsh on cyber criminals. It is in society’s interest that you are behind bars,” the Chief Justice reportedly said, while emphasising the pan-India nature of such offences.

The court noted that cybercrime networks frequently operate across state boundaries, targeting victims in different regions including Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. It stressed that such crimes have become increasingly organised and require strict judicial scrutiny due to their widespread impact on citizens, particularly in cases involving digital fraud and “digital arrest” scams.

Also Read: CID Summons: Abhishek Banerjee Seeks More Time to Appear in Case

The observations came in the context of growing concern over cybercrime in the country. The Supreme Court has previously taken suo motu cognisance of rising incidents of online fraud, including cases where elderly citizens have lost their savings to scammers impersonating law enforcement or financial authorities. The court had earlier empowered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate such cases nationwide and issued directions to both the Centre and state governments to strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

The remarks also follow earlier controversial comments made by the CJI in a separate hearing, where he referred to certain individuals allegedly involved in fraudulent legal practices in strong terms. He later clarified that his observations were directed specifically at persons with fake credentials and not intended to generalise about any group.

The latest ruling underscores the judiciary’s increasingly firm stance on cybercrime, with the court signalling that offences involving digital fraud will be dealt with strict legal consequences given their growing scale, sophistication, and impact on public trust in financial systems.

Also Read: Court Remands Retired Judge And Son In Custody In Twisha Sharma Death Case