New Delhi/Mumbai, July 14 -- A precedent-setting digital arrest hearing at India's top consumer court last Monday put the spotlight on banks' potentially heightened liabilities and responsibilities towards their customers amid a surge in digital arrest crimes in the country.

The case, filed with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) on 24 January, was admitted in March by its president, justice A.P. Sahi, and 7 July was the first deadline for banks to respond to the complainants' plea. The complainants have claimed negligence on the banks' part during incidents of digital arrests, and have argued that the lenders are partially responsible for the thefts-and thus should also be held liable for refunding or recovering...