Bihar Legislative Council Confronts Alarming Cybercrime Surge
The Bihar legislative council witnessed a heated discussion on Thursday as members from across political parties expressed grave concern over the sharp escalation in cybercrime incidents across the state. The debate highlighted the growing threat to digital security and called for more robust and effective countermeasures to protect citizens from sophisticated online fraud.
Deputy CM Reveals Staggering Cybercrime Statistics
Responding to the debate, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who also oversees the home department, presented alarming data to the House. He disclosed that more than one lakh cybercrime complaints have been officially registered in Bihar, underscoring the magnitude of the problem.
Choudhary provided detailed figures, stating that a total of 1,17,812 cybercrime complaints have been recorded so far. He elaborated, "Out of these, funds in 54,256 cases were successfully put on hold through prompt intervention, and in 6,150 cases, the money was successfully recovered and returned to the victims."
Arrests and Financial Recoveries in Recent Years
The Deputy CM shared specific data on law enforcement actions and financial recoveries. In 2024, authorities made 977 arrests related to cybercrime and managed to recover approximately Rs 6 crore. The following year, 2025, saw intensified efforts with 1,098 arrests and a significantly higher recovery of Rs 16 crore.
Choudhary further informed the council about a particularly disturbing trend of "digital arrests" where criminals impersonate officials from agencies like the CBI to deceive individuals. He reported that 136 such cases were documented in 2024 and 2025 combined.
Massive Financial Losses and Government Response
The financial impact of cybercrime in Bihar has been devastating. Choudhary revealed that cybercriminals have duped victims of a staggering Rs 517 crore across the state. Of this enormous sum, authorities were able to freeze Rs 116 crore, preventing further loss.
Acknowledging the seriousness of the crisis, Choudhary assured the House that the home department is implementing all possible measures to control cybercrime. He highlighted the establishment of a separate Cyber Crime and Cybersecurity Cell in October of the previous year as a key institutional step. "I assure you that the government will work diligently to stop cybercrime," he pledged.
Cross-Party Concerns and Personal Experiences
Raising a starred question, MLC Maheshwar Singh criticized the pace of governmental action, arguing it lags far behind the speed at which cybercriminals operate. He urged the home department to consider "bulldozer action" against cybercriminals, similar to measures taken against other categories of crime.
Abdul Bari Siddiqui, the RJD chief whip in the Vidhan Parishad, also raised a call attention motion on the issue. Several other members expressed deep concern, with some sharing personal experiences of receiving threatening calls from fraudsters attempting to scam them.
In a lighter moment, Council Chairperson Awadhesh Narain Singh recounted his own encounter with such fraudsters. He humorously shared that when he received a suspicious call, he introduced himself as the CBI director, prompting the caller to immediately disconnect.
The comprehensive discussion in the Bihar legislative council reflects the growing urgency to address cybercrime through coordinated efforts, enhanced cybersecurity infrastructure, and swift legal action to protect citizens in an increasingly digital landscape.
