Himachal DGP says 'digital arrest' has no legal basis, urges people to hang up
Representative image: Tumisu / Pixabay
Himachal DGP Ashok Tewari said on October 11, 2026 that 'digital arrest' does not exist in law and agencies never act by video call; victims should report to 1930.
What Happened
Himachal Pradesh's Director General of Police, Ashok Tewari, has warned people that there is no such thing as a "digital arrest" under Indian law. In a public warning reported on October 11, 2026, he said agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the police never contact people through video calls to arrest or question them, and that anyone receiving such a call should hang up and pay nothing. He urged victims to report fraud at once on the national cybercrime helpline, 1930.
Key Facts
- Who: Himachal Pradesh DGP Ashok Tewari; warning reported on October 11, 2026.
- His message: "digital arrest" has no basis in Indian law.
- The ED, CBI and police do not carry out arrests or proceedings over video calls, he said.
- The scam: callers pose as ED, CBI, RBI or police officers, accuse the victim of crimes such as money laundering, and demand money to "settle" the case.
- What to do: disconnect the call, make no payment, and report to the cybercrime helpline 1930.
- Police in Himachal have previously said about seven in ten registered cybercrime cases in the state involved digital arrest fraud.
Why It Matters
"Digital arrest" is one of the most damaging online frauds in India because it works on fear rather than greed. The victim gets a call or WhatsApp video call from someone claiming to be an officer of a central agency or the police. They are told their phone number, bank account or a parcel in their name is linked to a serious crime. They are then told to keep their camera on, not to disconnect, and to transfer money as "bail" or to prove their innocence. Some victims are kept on call for hours or even days.
The scam does not only hit older people. Students and young professionals who live away from family, have just opened bank accounts or are anxious about their careers can also be targeted. Keeping the victim on a long call is the key trick: it stops them from stepping away to check with a parent, friend or lawyer, who would recognise the fraud immediately.
The DGP's warning gives a simple rule that cuts through the fear. No genuine agency in India arrests anyone over a video call or asks for money to close a case. The national Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has said the same about the CBI, ED, police, customs and judges. Any call that does any of these is a scam, however real it looks. Recent cases show what is at stake: police in Agra recently described a retired man who was kept under threat over WhatsApp calls for 34 days and lost about Rs 72.74 lakh.
| Red flag | What it means |
|---|---|
| A video call from "police", "CBI" or "ED" | Real agencies do not arrest or question by video call |
| Demand to transfer money to "clear your name" | No legal process works this way |
| Order to keep the camera on and not hang up | Keeping you on the call is the scammer's main tool |
| Threat of immediate arrest | Pressure tactic to stop you thinking |
Impact
Short-term: The warning gives people, especially young adults living alone, a clear script: end the call, tell someone you trust, and report it on 1930 or the national cybercrime portal.
Long-term: Repeated public warnings from senior police officers help build a shared understanding that "digital arrest" is always fraud, which is the most effective defence against a scam that relies on people not knowing the law.
Who is affected: Smartphone users of all ages, particularly students, first-time job holders and older people, as well as families who can help by talking openly about such calls.
Key Takeaway
There is no "digital arrest" in Indian law, and any caller who threatens arrest over a video call and asks for money is a fraudster; hang up and report it on 1930.
Questions and Answers
Is "digital arrest" legal in India?
No. Himachal Pradesh DGP Ashok Tewari said on October 11, 2026 that there is no provision for it, and that the ED, CBI and police never conduct such proceedings through video calls.
What should I do if I get a digital arrest call?
Disconnect immediately, do not pay or share any details, tell a family member or friend, and report the call on the cybercrime helpline 1930.
Who do the scammers pretend to be?
According to police, they pose as officers of the ED, CBI, RBI or police, accuse the victim of a crime such as money laundering, and demand payment to settle the matter.
Why do scammers insist that I keep my camera on and stay on the call?
Keeping you on the line stops you from checking with anyone who would recognise the fraud. Real agencies do not arrest or question people over video calls.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
