Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said technological vulnerability in today’s digital era functions as a disability that restricts citizens’ access to justice. He warned that impersonation scams inflict financial, emotional, social and institutional harm on elderly victims.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant emphasized that technological vulnerability in today’s digital landscape must be regarded as a disability that can prevent citizens from accessing the justice system.
He pointed out that cyber fraud inflicts layered harm, particularly on vulnerable populations, with emotional repercussions accompanying financial losses.
He remarked,
“When an elderly citizen loses lifelong savings to an impersonation scam, the injury is not only financial. It is emotional. It is social. It is institutional,”
Referencing Article 39A of the Constitution, CJI Kant stated,
“Article 39A compels us to ensure that justice is not denied by reason of economic or other disabilities. In the digital age, we must be honest enough to recognise technological vulnerability as a disability of access.”
He was speaking at the opening session of a three-day national conference on cyber safety hosted by the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur.
He cautioned that the exclusion of certain citizens from the justice system is a pressing reality. He noted,
“A citizen who cannot navigate reporting portals, who cannot distinguish a legitimate notice from a fake summons, or who is intimidated by the language of cyber procedures, is effectively excluded from justice.”
CJI Kant stressed that cybercrimes should not be seen merely as technical issues; rather, they pose a fundamental barrier to justice.
He referenced data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), highlighting that India recorded 86,420 cybercrime cases, marking a 31% increase since 2022.
Over the past five years, almost 6.59 million cyber-fraud complaints have been registered, leading to estimated losses of Rs.55,659 crore.
On the topic of technology and artificial intelligence, the Chief Justice called for ethical considerations and institutional vigilance.
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He warned that beyond individual financial losses, there is a broader concern regarding institutional credibility.
He cautioned,
“What is at stake in the battle against cyber crimes is trust in the judiciary itself. When manipulated images and fabricated voices circulate freely, truth itself becomes contested,”
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