Cyber crime is escalating in India, with over 86,000 cases reported in 2023, as stated by Gauhati High Court Judge Justice Nelson Sailo. Justice Sailo emphasized the significance of the “Right to Privacy” as a Fundamental Right, recognized by the Supreme Court in 2017 under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. In response to this, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) was enacted in 2023 to safeguard citizens’ data rights and enhance privacy protections in the digital realm.
Highlighting the scenario in Mizoram, Justice Sailo mentioned that the state recorded 361 cyber crime cases between 2022 and 2026, with five cases registered by March this year. Common offenses include financial fraud, social media impersonation, and online sexual harassment. Justice Sailo advised the public to take precautions like using antivirus software, avoiding unknown file downloads, and promptly reporting suspicious activities to the police.
At a training program organized by the Mizoram State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) and Mizoram Police at the Gauhati High Court, Aizawl Bench Conference Hall, High Court Judge Justice Michael Zothankhuma shared his personal encounter with cyber crime. He underscored the global threat posed by cyber crime in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. Justice Zothankhuma stressed the necessity for close collaboration among law enforcement agencies, police, and the judiciary to effectively combat cyber crime.
Mizoram Director General of Police Sharad Agarwal addressed the challenges posed by the surge in cyber crime, mentioning the misuse of modern technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) for phishing attacks, deepfake creation, password theft, and malware dissemination. To counter these threats, Mizoram Police has set up a Technical Support Cell and is utilizing digital forensic tools for secure data analysis. District and Sessions Judge Helen Dawngliani elaborated on various cyber crime forms, emphasizing the need for enhanced collaboration between the police and the judiciary to uphold the rule of law in the digital sphere.
Following the inaugural session, technical sessions were conducted as part of the training program, attended by officials from departments such as Home, Excise and Narcotics, and Finance.
