Supreme Court Rejects Plea to Merge Cyber Fraud Cases, Labels Crime Dacoity

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking the consolidation of over 30 criminal complaints pending across 12 states against two individuals accused of facilitating cyber fraud. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, characterized the rising trend of digital arrests and associated cyber offences as "digital dacoity," asserting that the court would not provide a forum for accused parties to disrupt ongoing investigations.

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The petitioners, Gourab Kumar Saha and Nidhi Bhandari, had sought to consolidate 35 separate criminal cases into a single proceeding. However, the bench emphasized that the convenience of the accused cannot supersede the rights of victims or the operational requirements of law enforcement agencies. Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned the logic of forcing victims to travel to Delhi for the sake of the accused, noting that such a move would effectively dilute the investigative process across different jurisdictions.

The court highlighted the severity of the allegations, specifically referencing an incident where an 81-year-old resident of Ernakulam, Kerala, was defrauded of Rs 1.90 crore. The funds were allegedly routed through a mule account linked to the company owned by the petitioners. The Chief Justice of India underscored that those involved in organized cyber rackets, particularly those targeting senior citizens, must face stringent legal consequences rather than procedural relief.

Following the court's firm stance, the petitioners withdrew their plea. The ruling reinforces a judicial trend of prioritizing local investigation efficacy in cyber crime matters. By refusing to centralize these cases, the Supreme Court has ensured that state police forces in regions like Maharashtra, Telangana, and Gujarat can continue their independent probes without the procedural bottleneck of a consolidated trial.