Rajasthan High Court Demands Comprehensive Cybercrime Action Plan from State Government
The Rajasthan High Court has issued a firm directive to the state government, demanding a detailed response on measures implemented to prevent cybercrime and a clear timeline for completing pending actions previously ordered by the court.
Court Grants 15 Days for Detailed Affidavit Submission
Granting a 15-day timeframe, the court instructed the state to file a comprehensive affidavit that meticulously details compliance with each judicial direction. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on February 23, 2024.
A single bench presided over by Justice Ravi Chirania issued these significant directions while hearing bail petitions from individuals accused in various cybercrime cases. The bench explicitly asked the state to clarify what specific actions had been taken following previous judicial orders and to specify deadlines for completing the remaining measures.
Senior Officials Appear Before the Bench
In compliance with the court's orders, several senior state officials appeared before the bench. This delegation included:
- Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Bhaskar A Sawant
- Director General (Law and Order) Sanjay Agrawal
- ADG Cyber Crime VK Singh
- The State Law Secretary
Judicial Dissatisfaction Over Lack of Tangible Progress
While acknowledging the efforts claimed by the state government, the court expressed clear dissatisfaction over the lack of concrete, visible progress. The bench pointedly noted that despite earlier summons to the Police Commissioner, a dedicated Cyber Crime Control Centre has still not been established, even after repeated court directives.
In response to this concern, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Bhaskar Sawant informed the court that the proposed control centre requires approximately 10,000 square feet of space. He stated that the proposal is currently under the consideration of the Chief Minister, who has personally assured that the centre will be established.
Court Offers Judicial Support for Administrative Hurdles
The court, however, made a significant observation, stating that if any genuine administrative difficulties exist, they should be formally brought to the court's notice. The bench assured that appropriate judicial orders could be passed to facilitate the process once a suitable building is identified for the control centre.
Addressing Manpower and Prosecution Challenges
Regarding critical manpower shortages in the cyber wing of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), ADG VK Singh informed the court that suitable candidates were not available through the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) examination process.
On the crucial front of prosecution support, the state government informed the court that a decision has been taken to appoint specialized government prosecutors exclusively for cybercrime cases. The plan includes appointing one such prosecutor at each district headquarters, plus one each at the Jaipur and Jodhpur benches of the High Court. All these appointments are expected to be completed within the next 15 days.
Additional Measures Disclosed to the Court
The state government also apprised the court of several other proactive steps being taken to combat cybercrime, including:
- Procuring advanced digital forensic equipment to enhance investigation capabilities
- Implementing systems to identify and block SIM cards being misused for cybercrimes
- Taking action to freeze bank accounts involved in fraudulent cyber activities
The court's intervention highlights the growing judicial scrutiny on state governments to implement robust cybercrime prevention mechanisms in response to the escalating digital threats facing citizens across Rajasthan.
