'Apologize To Public If National Cybercrime Helpline Doesn't Work': Bombay HC Summons Officials In Case Over Digital Arrest Of Senior Citizen

While hearing a petition filed by a septuagenarian woman, a victim of 'digital arrest' who lost Rs 32 lakhs, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the fact that the national helpline number '1930' for 'cyber fraud' has not been working 'effectively.'

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Dr Neela Gokhale observed that the concerned authorities should either ensure the toll-free number 1930 works or just tell citizens that they can't help them.

"What is this? Even we get awareness calls that call 1930 when there is a fraud call or something. But what's the point of the number if not helpful or isn't operational? You (authorities) should either ensure that the number works or just tell the public sorry we cannot help you," a visibly irked Justice Gokhale remarked. 

This comes after the bench was told that the petitioner - Leela Parthasarathy (71), a retired Maths teacher- was under a 'digital arrest' by fraudsters posing to be Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths, for two weeks. During this period, the fraudsters, who furnished important documents like Aadhar Card etc to the petitioner, she believed them to be real officers and therefore, abided by whatever they ordered her. She transferred Rs 2 lakhs, then Rs 12 lakhs and finally Rs 18 lakhs - an amount the fraudsters said were 'proceeds of crime.'

According to Parthasarathy's counsel Nikhil Daga, she gave up all her lifetime savings including gold jewellery to the fraudsters. It was only when they asked her to transfer Rs 20 lakh for bail, she approached her brother-in-law in Bangalore, who then go in touch with her daughter in the United States (US) and then a complaint was filed with the Shivaji Nagar Police Station in Govandi, Mumbai. 

However, the petitioner alleged that the senior officer of the Shivaji Nagar Police Station, initially refused to register her First Information Report (FIR) and it was only lodged after two months of running from pillar to post. She alleged that when she contacted the 1930 helpline number, it was not operating and did not help.

Taking note of the ordeal, the bench pointed out how such experiences 'traumatise' citizens, especially senior citizens.

"Senior citizens have to undergo such a trauma, imagine you and me going through all this," Justice Gokhale said. 

Weighing in, Justice Mohite-Dere, observed, "These senior citizens they keep their post retirement money and they are usually attacked like this and then when they approach the police they cannot be treated like this. This is not how you deal with senior citizens."

The judges therefore, ordered the zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and also the officer of the East Region Cyber Police Station, Crime Branch, Mumbai, to remain present, in the Court on Thursday (March 6).