A tragic incident has come to light from Bhopal: a 68‑year‑old senior advocate, Shivkumar Verma, reportedly died by suicide after receiving threatening calls from cyber criminals who falsely linked him to the Pahalgam terror attack.
What Happened
According to police, Verma hanged himself on Monday evening after being overwhelmed by fear and shame. Investigators recovered a suicide note in which he wrote that fraudsters had opened a bank account in his name — an account that reportedly featured on the Pahalgam attack charge sheet.
In his note, he claimed he would not tolerate being branded a “traitor,” emphasising that he had served the community — recalling his volunteer work during the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and regular blood donations. The Cyber‑Fraud Angle: “Digital Arrest”
Authorities suspect the episode to be a case of cyber‑fraud, more specifically a digital extortion or “digital arrest.” Fraudsters posing as law‑enforcement officials threatened that Verma’s account had been used to fund the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack.
During initial investigations, authorities traced at least one suspected call‑origin number from the call‑detail records (CDR) linked to Verma. The police have registered a case and are trying to identify and apprehend perpetrators.
Why This Is Alarming
This incident underscores the dangerous psychological impact of cyber‑extortion and misinformation. Victims coerced into believing they are implicated in terrorism or serious crimes may panic — as happened here — before verifying facts or seeking help.
Officials caution the public: criminals may exploit fear, shame and lack of clarity about legal rights to force victims into self-harm or compliance.
FAQ
Q: What is a “digital arrest”?
A “digital arrest” is a form of cyber‑fraud in which scammers — often posing as law enforcement — deceive a victim over calls or video calls, claiming that the victim is implicated in a crime. The aim is to extort money, force compliance, or cause panic. In this case, the fraudsters allegedly told the lawyer he was linked to the Pahalgam terror attack, prompting fear and a tragic outcome.
Q: Is there evidence that the lawyer was actually linked to the Pahalgam attack?
As of now, there is no credible evidence linking him legitimately to the attack. Police investigations are ongoing. The only “link” came from the fraudulent messages and a bank account that the fraudsters opened in his name.
Q: What should someone do if they receive such threatening calls or messages?
Authorities strongly advise to not panic and not believe such claims at face value. Instead, immediately report the incident to the local police or cybercrime cell. Maintain records/screenshots of calls and messages to help investigators.
Q: Has the fraudster’s phone number been identified?
Yes — preliminary scanning of the lawyer’s call‑detail record (CDR) has revealed at least one suspected number used by the cyber‑conmen. Police are tracing it as part of their investigation.
Q: What broader lessons should the public draw from this case?
This tragic case is a stark warning: cyber‑criminals are increasingly using fear, misinformation and impersonation as weapons. It highlights the urgent need for awareness about cyber‑fraud, psychological support for victims, and prompt policing when suspicious calls/messages arrive.
source credit : Anand Mohan J
Published on : 27TH November
Published by : SARANYA
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