Pune recorded cyber frauds worth Rs 1,161 crore last year; city’s population is 73 lakh, police face manpower crunch
Pune: Cyber crime has grown in the past few years. Pune, a seat of learning, witnessed cyber frauds amounting to Rs 1,161 crore last year. It is feared that the number of cyber crimes is likely to grow.
However, the police are facing a manpower crunch while catering to a population of 73 lakhs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide stringent penal action and quick judicial process. Special courts, on the lines of ‘fast-track’ courts, should be set up, said lawyers and police officials.
Cyber crimes grew by Rs 100 crore in comparison to the previous year. The type of offences has changed in the past few months. ‘Digital arrest’ is one such operandi, cyber thugs are using to frighten and cheat netizens.
In the backdrop of a rising cyber offences, the police are facing a manpower shortage leading to delay in cracking cases. If an investigation is not completed in time, the charge sheet and conviction become distant dreams. Legal experts said that the number of cases reaching courts is very low.
Adv Chinmay Bhosale said, “The extent of cyber frauds at the world level is $13 trillion. Considering the serious nature of the crime, special courts such as fast-track courts are needed to sort out cyber crime cases. This will curb cyber frauds. Besides increasing the number of courts, more judges should be recruited to solve cyber cases. The IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have adequate provisions to penalise criminals. However, a lone police team has been tackling such cases for the 73 lakh population in Pune. There are no cyber courts at the District and Sessions level. There is no mechanism available to deal with cross-border investigations.”
Sr PI Swapnali Shinde, Cyber Cell, said, “Special courts are needed to tackle rising cyber frauds. The Cyber Cell manpower is falling short. Cyber crime investigation is very complex. We get 25-30 complaints daily, in which the money involved and the bank accounts used are analysed. Thus, there is no deadline for investigation. It may take a couple of years too. If a cyber team goes outstation on investigation, they spend 10 days. The workload is then shifted to the existing staff. We file a charge sheet within seven days. But our parallel investigation continues.”
Pune Cyber Cell manpower
Police Inspectors – 02
Police Sub-Inspectors – 05
Police personnel – 30 to 40
