Only 1.6% conviction rate in 2 yrs amid surge in cybercrime cases

While rising cybercrime cases have become a cause for concern for the Centre, out of the total 1.67 lakh cases registered between 2020-2022 in all 28 states, only 2,706 persons (1.6%) have been convicted under these offences, according to official data.

Also, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka consistently featured among the top three states to register the maximum number of cyber crimes cases between 2020 and 2022, as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.

However, even in states, the conviction rate ranges between 0 per cent to 2 per cent compared to the number of cases registered for cyber crimes.

For example in 2020, of the total 49,708 cyber crime cases registered in all the states, excluding UTs, only 1,109 persons or two per cent of them were convicted.

In 2020, Uttar Pradesh witnessed registering of 11,000 cases and only 642 persons were convicted. Karnataka registered the second highest 10,741 cases, but only a paltry two persons were convicted. Maharashtra recorded the third highest cases of cyber crimes during 2020 with the total cases being 5,496, but the conviction was only of three persons.

In 2021, out of the total 52,430 cases registered in all the states, only 490 persons were convicted, or in other words, a negligible 0.93 per cent.

Telangana topped the states with highest number of 10,300 cases of cyber crime registered. Out of these only 19 persons were convicted. Uttar Pradesh was a close second with 8,829 cases registered but the conviction was of only 292 persons. Karnataka was third with 8,136 cases of cyber crime, however only 10 persons were convicted.

In 2022, out of the total 64,907 cyber crime cases registered across all states, only 1,107 persons or 1.7 per cent were convicted.

Telangana topped the states with 15,297 cyber crime cases registered, of which only 60 persons were convicted. Karnataka stood second with 12,556 cyber crime cases, out of which only 12 were convicted.

Uttar Pradesh was third with 10,117 registered cases of cyber crime and 838 persons were convicted.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) as an attached office to deal with all types of cybercrimes.