Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Friday said cybercrimes are not a niche technology issue. Instead, he warned, they create a direct barrier to justice by exploiting citizens’ technological vulnerabilities. He added that cyber fraud causes layered harm—financial loss and emotional distress—especially for vulnerable groups.
“Technological Vulnerability Is A Disability Of Access”
The CJI made these remarks while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of a three-day national conference on cyber safety in Jaipur. The Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority organised the event at the Rajasthan International Centre.
He said the digital age has created a new kind of vulnerability that can push people out of the justice system. In his view, the system must treat technological vulnerability as a disability that blocks access to justice.
Impact Goes Beyond Money
CJI Surya Kant said cyber fraud harms victims in more ways than one. Referring to impersonation scams, he stated:
“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,” he said.
Article 39A And Access To Justice
Invoking Article 39A of the Constitution, the Chief Justice said:
“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 also warned that exclusion already exists on the ground. Many citizens struggle because they cannot use online reporting systems or spot fraudulent messages. As a result, they fail to seek timely remedies.
“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,” he said.
NCRB Data Highlights Scale
To underline the size of the problem, the CJI cited National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. He said:
“India registered 86,420 cybercrime cases, a 31% increase over 2022. There [were] nearly 65.9 lakh cyber-fraud complaints over the last five years, with losses estimated at ₹55,659 crore.”
AI, Ethics, And Institutional Trust
On artificial intelligence and emerging tools, the CJI urged ethical restraint and stronger institutional vigilance. According to him, the challenge goes beyond individual loss and affects public confidence in institutions.
