Amid rising cyber threats, the need for faster and more coordinated action has become critical, as highlighted by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant.
Speaking on April 20 at the 22nd DP Kohli Memorial Lecture held at Bharat Mandapam, the CJI stressed the urgency of shifting towards real-time enforcement systems to tackle cybercrime effectively.
The lecture, organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation, focused on the theme “Challenges of Cyber Crime: Role for Police and Judiciary” and brought together experts from law enforcement and the legal sector.
Highlighting current limitations, the CJI noted that traditional enforcement methods are struggling to keep up with cyber offences, which are “transnational, fast-paced and anonymous” in nature. He pointed out a clear gap between the speed of cybercrimes and the delayed, fragmented response from institutions.
To address this, he called for real-time coordination among banks, telecom providers, digital platforms, and investigative agencies to improve detection, response, and prevention.
He also emphasised the need for a broader shift towards technology-driven solutions, including automated detection systems, early warning tools, and integrated command structures. Strengthening capabilities in digital forensics, cyber intelligence, and specialised training was identified as essential.
“Effectively addressing cybercrime requires a coordinated, anticipatory and collaborative approach,” he said, adding that judicial adaptability and strong technological safeguards must support enforcement efforts.
The CJI outlined key focus areas such as capacity building, inter-agency collaboration, and technology-led governance to improve India’s response to cybercrime.
On the occasion, he also launched ‘ABHAY’, an AI-powered chatbot designed to help citizens verify notices issued by the CBI, especially amid rising cases of “digital arrest” scams involving impersonation.
The lecture series is organised annually by the CBI in honour of its founder director Dharamnath Prasad Kohli. Established through a Union government resolution on April 1, 1963, the agency was initially tasked with investigating corruption, financial crimes, and serious offences, and has since grown into India’s leading investigative body.
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