Chhattisgarh HC Initiates Suo Moto PIL Over Lack Of Experts In State Cyber Police Stations, Seeks DGP's Personal Affidavit

In a proactive move addressing the critical issue of cybercrime policing, the Chhattisgarh High Court has initiated a Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) over the lack of expert personnel in cyber police stations across the state. The Court noted the issue based on the news reports published in “Bilaspur Bhaskar” on April 24, 2024, about the absence of specialized professionals in cybercrime investigation units of the state. The news articles in question were published under the headings: “रेंज साइबर थानों मे 7 माह में सिर्फ 7 केस, क्योंकि एक्सपर्ट की भर्ती नहीं" (Only 7 cases in 7 months in range cyber police stations, because no recruitment of experts) with sub-headings "खुद ही बचें ठगों से, प्रदेश में सिर्फ तीन साइबर एक्सपर्ट इंस्पेक्टर, कौन करे जांच" (Protect yourself from thugs on ypur own, only three cyber expert inspectors in the state, who will investigate?). “The said news report states that the Cyber Police Station has registered only seven cases during the period of seven months because the said Police Station lacks experts in the field and further, for the last three months, not a single FIR has been registered relating to cyber crime,” a bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Rajani Dubey observed while perusing the news reports. Emphasizing that cybercrimes and frauds are increasing daily and that a huge amount of money is being siphoned by thugs and criminals from the bank accounts of innocent people, the Court added that the said news reports state that in Bilaspur District itself, in the last six years, Rs. 4.82 Crores have been defrauded from 775 persons. The Court also noted that for all the Police Stations falling under the Bilaspur Range, there is only one Cyber Police Station at Bilaspur and that too does not have proper paraphernalia and lacks experts who may investigate the matter promptly and efficiently as only three Inspectors of the Cyber cadre are available in the entire State. “It is highly disturbing and a matter of great concern that the people are being misled, allured and deceived by the persons using digital Amit technology and electronic devices which come under the category of cybercrime but there is lack of sufficient staff and experts at the Cyber Police Stations to curb the same as is reflected from the present news item,” the Court further observed as it stressed that the issue needs immediate attention of the State. Against this backdrop, the Court has also called for a personal affidavit of the Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh, Raipur, regarding the lack of experts in the Cyber Police Station to curb cybercrime. The matter has been posted for further hearing on May 9. Case title – In The Matter Of Suo Moto Public Interest Litigation Regarding Lack Of Experts In Range Cyber Police Stations Cyber Crime Cases Dwindle.Based On News Item Published In Daily News Paper Dainik Bhaskar, Bilaspur Bhaskar Dated 24-04-2024 As Range Cyber Thano Me 7 Month Me Sirf 7 Case, Kyonki Expert Ki Bharti Nahi. Click Here ToRead/Download Order

Chhattisgarh HC Initiates Suo Moto PIL Over Lack Of Experts In State Cyber Police Stations, Seeks DGP's Personal Affidavit

Sparsh Upadhyay

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