ORDER

% 30.01.2024 CM APPL.5163/2024

1. Keeping in view the fact that the amendment application has been filed at the initial stage and a liberal approach is to be adopted towards amendment applications, the present application is allowed.

2. Accordingly, the amended writ petition is taken on record.

W.P.(C) 528/2024

3. Present public interest litigation has been filed seeking directions to the Respondents to run an awareness campaign to make the citizens aware about new age cyber crimes as well as to simplify the procedure for filing of cyber crime complaints and to frame guidelines for swifter investigation and better coordination to stop the transfer of the proceeds of crimes in time.

4. Learned counsel for the Petitioners draws the attention of this Court to another form of cyber scam which is recently in news called ‘digital arrest’ whereby certain actors forge and fabricate fake orders and arrest warrants purportedly issued by the Courts of law in order to extort ‘settlement money’ from innocent citizens.

The aforesaid scam also involves impersonation of government authorities and police officers, which in turn undermines the authority of the criminal justice system.

5. Learned counsel for the Petitioners states that the current mechanism of reporting of cyber complaints with the cyber crime unit of Delhi Police is insufficient to deal with the rapidly mutating and evolving cyber scams. She further states that the current procedure for reporting and investigating into such scams is neither effective nor sufficient in deterring such crimes or protecting the victims from falling for the same.

6. Issue notice. Mr.Apoorv Kurup, Mr.Santosh Kr. Tripathi and Mr.Karan Luthra, learned counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the Respondents No.1, 5 & 6, 2 & 3 and 7 respectively. They pray for and are permitted to file their counter affidavits within two weeks. Rejoinder affidavits, if any, be filed before the next date of hearing.

7. Issue notice to the unserved Respondent No.4 through standing counsel, returnable on 19th March, 2024.

List on 19th March, 2024.

8. ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE MANMEET PRITAM SINGH ARORA, J JANUARY 30, 2024 TS This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

8. ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE MANMEET PRITAM SINGH ARORA, J JANUARY 30, 2024 TS