Don't fall prey to 'digital arrest', understand it's a fraud: Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said 'digital arrest' is a fraud and not legally tenable, appealing to people to guard against cyber theft.
There is nothing like a 'digital arrest' in the law, he asserted while intervening in a Question Hour debate on the issue raised by SP's Abu Azmi in the state assembly.
The chief minister emphasised that if victims report the cyber frauds to helpline 1930 within the critical "golden hour" (critical for stopping fraudulent transactions), about 90 per cent of the money can be recovered.
"I want to tell citizens that there is nothing called digital arrest in law. If you get a phone call or video call telling you that you are under digital arrest...understand it's a fraud and report to 1930 (cybercrime helpline number)," Fadnavis said.
Explaining the modus operandi, the CM said in such frauds, a victim gets a video call and is told that the person on the other side is a CBI, police or customs officer.
"He tells you that a parcel in your name has come and drugs are found in it. You are under digital arrest and asked not to move away from the screen and online money transfer is done by the scared victims," he pointed out.
Fadnavis expressed concern that despite awareness and cyber protection systems in place, several people have fallen victim, including retired IAS and defence officers.
In such cases of fraud, the mastermind is based abroad, in countries with which India doesn't have any treaty. The online money transfers are sent to bank accounts in foreign countries, he noted.
"If the victims report to 1930 in the 'golden hour', at least 90 per cent of the money is recovered. We have the cyber safety system in place," the CM stressed.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
