Uttarakhand High Court Directs RBI and Private Banks to Investigate Fake Non-Bailable Warrants Scam

The Uttarakhand High Court has mandated the involvement of the Reserve Bank of India, private banks, and telecom firms in investigating a scam involving fake non-bailable warrants. This case raises serious concerns about public trust and judicial integrity.

The Uttarakhand High Court has taken a firm stance on a scam involving fake non-bailable warrants (NBWs) allegedly issued in the names of judges and police officers. The court has instructed that the Reserve Bank of India, private banks, and telecom companies be included in the investigation. This directive came during a hearing of a petition filed by Haridwar resident Surendra Kumar.

Kumar reported receiving calls from two different numbers claiming an NBW had been issued by a Dehradun court. He was asked to pay Rs 30,000 using four different scanner codes. Despite informing the Haridwar police, no action was initially taken. The high court has now converted Kumar's petition into a public interest litigation due to the seriousness of the matter.

Scam Targets Credibility of Judicial System

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice G Narendran and Justice Subhash Upadhyay, noted that this scam not only deceives individuals but also undermines the credibility of the judicial system. By misusing the names of judges and police officers, the scam poses a significant threat to public trust in these institutions.

Petitioner's lawyer Prabha Naithani argued that the NBW issued in the name of an Additional District Judge of Dehradun was fake. She stated that no such case exists in any court and no such judge is present in Haridwar or Dehradun. Naithani highlighted that people were coerced into making digital payments through QR codes using these fraudulent NBWs.

Involvement of Financial Institutions

The high court expressed concern over the possible involvement of private banks, as all fraudulent accounts were linked to them. Consequently, it directed that these banks, along with the Reserve Bank of India and telecom companies, be made parties in the case to ensure a comprehensive investigation.

During a virtual court appearance, Inspector General Intelligence Sunil Meena, Senior Superintendent of Police Haridwar Pramod Singh Dobal, and Cyber Cell officials provided updates on the case. The Haridwar SSP informed the court that those attempting to defraud Kumar have been identified and will soon face arrest.

This case underscores the need for vigilance against scams exploiting digital payment systems and highlights potential vulnerabilities within financial institutions. The involvement of high-level officials in this investigation reflects its gravity and aims to restore public confidence in both judicial and financial systems.

With inputs from PTI