Harassment of women over mobile phone has seen a steep rise in the city in 2016.
According to data provided by the police, 198 such cases were registered in 2016 till November compared to the 121 cases registered in 2015.
The Cyber Cell could solve 193 complaints. In 2015, only 103 cases out of 121 complaints were solved.
According to the police, the increase in such cases was steady even after Section 66A of the Information Technology Act (punishment for sending offensive messages through communication service, etc.,) was struck down by the Supreme Court in March, 2015.
“We used to add Section 66A in most of the cases wherein the complainant received indecent calls or messages. Though Section 66A was repealed, cases are registered under other appropriate Sections after examining each complaint,” said V.M.P. Asaithampi, ACP, Central Crime Branch, under whom the Cyber Cell functions.
According to the police, an increase in awareness among women regarding their rights, and the legal facilities available to them are the main reasons behind more number of such cases getting registered.
In over 85 per cent of the cases, those caught for the offence were known to the complainant.
In one of the cases, a college student repeatedly received obscene messages from an unknown number. The police found that number to be that of her classmate.
Some of the offenders are even those employed at mobile phone recharge shops.
“In many cases, those caught are first-time offenders who stops the indecent behaviour after advised by the police. Repeated offenders will be chargesheeted,” added the officer.
Complaints can be lodged with the Cyber Cell, or directly with the City Police Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner (Law and Order).
Cyber Cell officials are conducting classes to create awareness among students under the supervision of City Police Commissioner A. Amalraj.
The students are taught cyber safety, basic cyber laws, and precautions to be taken while using social media platforms.
