Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Saturday expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in cyber crimes across the country, stating that such offences have robbed common people, particularly senior citizens, of thousands of crores of rupees. Describing the scale and impact of cyber fraud as “shocking,” the CJI underlined the urgent need for a judiciary that is well trained and equipped to deal with the complex and fast-evolving challenges posed by technology-driven crimes.

The CJI was speaking at a function held in Pothahi, on the outskirts of Patna, where he laid the foundation stone for a new campus of the Bihar Judicial Academy. Addressing judges, legal professionals, and dignitaries, Justice Surya Kant highlighted how cyber crime has emerged as one of the most serious threats to public trust, financial security, and the justice delivery system in contemporary India.

“I was shocked to learn that in India alone, not just a few hundred crores, but thousands of crores of rupees have been siphoned off through cyber crimes,” the CJI said. He noted that a significant portion of these crimes involves extortion, deception, and manipulation, with senior citizens being among the most vulnerable victims.

Justice Surya Kant pointed out that many of the offences now coming before courts were unheard of until a few years ago. “All of you may never have thought of hearing about offences like ‘digital arrest’ and the manner in which these cyber crimes are being committed day and night,” he said. Referring to emerging forms of online fraud, impersonation, and psychological harassment, the CJI stressed that such crimes cause immense distress, particularly to elderly citizens who may not be well-versed in digital technologies.

He described cyber crime as one of the latest and most complex challenges confronting the Indian judiciary. Unlike conventional crimes, cyber offences often involve anonymous perpetrators, cross-border networks, rapidly changing methods, and sophisticated use of technology. This, he said, places an added responsibility on judges to constantly update their knowledge and skills.

Emphasising the role of judicial academies, the CJI said they are the most effective platforms for ensuring that members of the district judiciary remain abreast of the newest complexities in civil and criminal law. “A judicial academy is the only effective platform for the district judiciary to keep pace with the fast-growing quagmire of cyber crimes,” he remarked.

Justice Surya Kant said that sensitive and continuous training of judicial officers is essential to ensure that courts can respond effectively to modern challenges. He underlined that judges are not shaped by experience alone but also by structured education and exposure to new developments in law and society.

“Courts function through judges, but judges are also shaped by training,” the CJI said. “Judicial academies are silent pillars that sustain the justice delivery system. They are spaces where legal knowledge is refined, ethical values are reinforced, and professional skills are sharpened.”

The CJI observed that the judiciary today operates in an environment of unprecedented change. Courts are increasingly being called upon to adjudicate disputes arising from technological innovation, economic complexity, social transformation, and evolving interpretations of rights under the Constitution.

“The pace at which society is changing has placed new demands on the justice system,” he said. “Judges today must deal with cases that involve complex financial instruments, digital evidence, online transactions, and emerging rights linked to technology and privacy.”

Justice Surya Kant also noted that public expectations from the justice delivery system are higher than ever. Citizens increasingly look to courts not only for legal resolution but also for fairness, efficiency, and sensitivity. In this context, he said, judicial education cannot remain static or episodic.

“Continuous learning is essential for maintaining judicial relevance and credibility,” the CJI said. “Judges must remain intellectually agile, socially aware, and ethically grounded if they are to inspire confidence in the justice system.”

He explained that judicial academies serve as the institutional mechanism through which this ongoing education is structured and maintained. Through training programmes, workshops, and discussions, academies equip judges with the tools needed to interpret and apply the law in a manner that is principled, pragmatic, and sensitive to the lived realities of litigants.

Justice Surya Kant said that the impact of judicial training extends far beyond classrooms and courtrooms. Well-trained judges, he said, contribute to stronger public trust in the rule of law.

“Justice, when delivered efficiently and humanely, reinforces democratic faith,” he observed. “People’s belief in institutions depends not just on outcomes, but on the manner in which justice is administered.”

Turning specifically to Bihar, the CJI highlighted the state’s unique social and legal context. He noted that Bihar’s social diversity, historical experiences, and regional challenges create a distinct environment within which justice must operate.

“A judicial academy in Bihar must engage with these realities,” Justice Surya Kant said. “It must understand local social dynamics, regional legal issues, and the everyday challenges faced by citizens, while ensuring that adjudication remains firmly rooted in constitutional values and national jurisprudence.”

He added that judicial training in the state should address issues such as access to justice, social inequality, and the specific vulnerabilities faced by marginalised groups, alongside emerging challenges like cyber crime.

The CJI’s remarks come at a time when cyber fraud cases are rising sharply across India. From phishing scams and fake investment schemes to impersonation by callers posing as police or government officials, cyber criminals are increasingly targeting senior citizens, exploiting their trust, fear, and unfamiliarity with digital systems. Many victims lose their life savings, often with little hope of recovery.

Legal experts have repeatedly pointed out that tackling cyber crime requires not only stronger laws and better policing, but also a judiciary that understands the technical, psychological, and social dimensions of such offences. Justice Surya Kant’s emphasis on judicial training reflects a growing recognition that courts must evolve alongside technology.

As he laid the foundation stone for the new Bihar Judicial Academy campus, the CJI reiterated that institutions like these are crucial for preparing judges to meet the demands of a rapidly changing society. He stressed that strengthening judicial education is not merely an administrative exercise, but a fundamental investment in the future of justice and democracy.

In conclusion, Justice Surya Kant warned that the rise of cyber crime, particularly against senior citizens, is a stark reminder of how technological progress can also create new forms of vulnerability. Addressing these challenges, he said, will require a judiciary that is informed, responsive, and deeply connected to the realities of the people it serves.