That’s exactly what’s happening to thousands of Indians using the e-Courts portal. A recent Supreme Court plea exposed a glitch so alarming, even judges were shocked: citizens compounding minor offenses are being marked ‘guilty by default’; not because they admitted guilt, but because the system assumes it. No warning. No explanation. Just a checkbox disguised as payment. The petitioner, Prabhjot Singh Dhillon, argues this violates fundamental rights; you can’t be convicted without knowing you’re pleading guilty. The High Court already recommended fixes in 2024. Twice. And yet, nothing changed. Now, the SC has forwarded the matter to its e-Committee; the very body that designed the system. The irony? They’re being asked to fix the flaw they built. If you’ve ever paid a challan online, check your records. You might not just have paid a fine; you might’ve carried a conviction you never knew about. This isn’t just tech failure. It’s legal erosion; digital, silent, and spreading fast.