Himalaya Harbinger, Uttarakhand Bureau.
Uttarakhand’s tranquil Kumaon division is facing a harrowing ordeal as cybercriminals unleash a relentless barrage of fraud, ensnaring an average of 19 unsuspecting victims daily. The Uttarakhand police find themselves grappling with a dual challenge: the ever-evolving tactics of cybercriminals and a dire shortage of resources. This confluence of challenges has resulted in a staggering backlog of pending cybercrime cases, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced resources and training within law enforcement agencies.
According to comprehensive data sourced from the National Cyber Crime Portal of the Home Ministry, the months of January and February witnessed an alarming surge, with a total of 1,176 complaints of cyber fraud inundating the Kumaon division. Amongst the districts, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar bore the brunt of this onslaught, with 358 and 353 complaints respectively, followed by Almora (167), Bageshwar (81), Pithoragarh (140), and Champawat (77).
Despite the gravity of the situation, the response from law enforcement has been tepid, with only a fraction of complaints finding resolution. Alarmingly, formal First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered in a mere four cases, with an additional three cases currently undergoing reinvestigation. Insights from experts shed light on bureaucratic impediments and practical challenges hindering the formal registration of cases, resulting in investigations proceeding without the requisite legal recourse.
The burgeoning backlog of pending cases further compounds the crisis, with a total of 712 cases remaining unresolved from the period spanning 2021 to 2024. In Nainital alone, 38 cases await investigation, while Udham Singh Nagar contends with 104 pending cases. The inadequacy of progress is starkly evident in the abysmally low rates of recovery of embezzled funds, with a paltry 8.14% of stolen property reclaimed in Nainital, 33.67% in Udham Singh Nagar, 94.88% in Almora, 2.42% in Bageshwar, 91% in Pithoragarh, and 51.76% in Champawat.
Meanwhile, the nefarious reach of these cyber thugs extends far beyond the borders of Uttarakhand, with their network permeating from Bihar to Madhya Pradesh. Once infamous for cyber fraud, Jamtara in Bihar now serves as a hub in a sprawling network of criminal activity. Insights gleaned from police sources reveal that even apprehended cybercriminals prioritize incarceration over restitution, preying upon vulnerable segments of society, including the elderly and infirm.
“This surge in cybercrime represents a grave threat to the security and financial well-being of our citizens,” remarked a senior police official. “It is imperative that we furnish our law enforcement agencies with the requisite resources and expertise to effectively combat this pervasive menace.”
