In a bid to overcome the delay in investigating cybercrimes, the investigation of minor and common cybercrimes which do not fall under the IT Act has been entrusted to Field Officers (local police).
With this, the Cybercrime police station functioning from the capital since July 2009 can concentrate on serious and complicated cyber offences that need high level of technical expertise as envisaged. The limited resources available at the Cybercrime police station and investigation into serious cybercrimes getting affected also prompted the authorities to take this decision.
The Field Officers have been asked to seek the assistance of the District Cyber Cells and, if needed, the guidance of the Hi-Tech Cell while investigating the minor and common crimes such as phone abuse and social media abuse.
ADVERTISEMENT
A directive issued by State Police Chief K.S. Balasubramanian said the personnel at the 19 District Cyber Cells had been trained and equipped for handling cybercrimes and kits had been made available at each cell for the investigators.
The District Police Chiefs had been asked to “encourage and, if required, compel” the Field Officers of the rank of Inspector of Police and above to investigate cybercrime cases. They had been asked to depute officers for basic and advanced courses.
The Cybercrime police station can now concentrate on hacking of websites, bank accounts and e-mail IDs for financial gains or matters jeopardising national security, source code theft and tampering with computer source documents.
ADVERTISEMENT
It will also have to take care of cases pertaining to creation, publishing and sharing of child pornographic content, cyberterrorism and attack of protected systems notified by the government under Section 70 of the IT Act. The State witnessed an increase of 18.5 per cent in crimes registered under the IT Act, as 269 cases were registered during 2012 against 227 cases in 2011.
Minor cybercrimes entrusted to local police
Cybercrime station to focus on serious cases