Maharashtra leads in cyber crimes in 2012!

Ankita Chakrabarty/ Zee Research Group

Maharashtra has once again emerged as the centre of cyber crime with maximum number of incidence of registered cases under cyber crimes over the past two years as per the recent National Crime Records Bureau report (NCRB 2012). At the country level, incidence of cyber crimes (IT Act and IPC) has increased by 57.11 percent in 2012 as compared to 2011. Among Indian cities, Bengaluru tops the chart with maximum number of incidence of cases followed by Vishakhapatnam and Pune. Hacking with computer systems and obscene publication have been the main cases under IT Act for cyber crimes. Maximum offenders arrested for cyber crimes are in the age group 18-30 years. While in 2011 Maharashtra recorded 393 cases of cyber crimes (both under IT Act and IPC), the figure has jumped to 561 in 2012. Also, the figure for Karnataka was 160 and the latest figure of 2012 stood at 437 respectively. Explaining factors behind the growing menace of cyber crimes in Maharashtra, Prashant Mali, cyber law expert and cyber security consultant, said, “Most of the cyber crimes are financial in nature and since Mumbai is the country’s financial hub, these incidences get highlighted more.” The state police has dedicated cyber cells and police station to take on the crime. “Also, Maharashtra is very active in registering cases of cyber crimes as it has cyber cells and cyber police stations. Most states of India do not have cyber cells and those which have do not function properly,” further added Mali. Among cities, Bengaluru registered 349 cases followed by Vishakhapatnam at 154 and Pune at 108 respectively. Overall, at the city level, 1396 cases were registered. In the year 2011, Vishakhapatnam reported 126 cases followed by Bengaluru at 121 and Pune at 83 respectively. Cyber forgery with 47.9 percent (263 out of total 549) and cyber fraud with 39.1 percent (215 out of 549) were the main cases under IPC category for cyber crimes in 2012. Under IT Act, hacking with computer systems with 49.2 percent (749 out of total 1522) and obscene publication / transmission in electronic form with 32.6 percent (497 out of total 1522) were the main cases in 2012. In the year 2011, 883 people in the age group 18-30 years were arrested, the figure has jumped to 1176 in the year 2011.