Haryana number 1 in cyber crimes, frauds

• Known for its high crime rate against women, Haryana has now registered an unprecedented spurt in incidents of cyber crimes, making it the top state with highest number of cases in the country.

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data revealed that the number of cyber crimes registered under various sections of IPC jumped from just three in 2011 to 116 in 2012 in Haryana.

• West Bengal was closely behind Haryana with 113 cases and Maharashtra came third with 90 cases of virtual crimes registered last year. Most of these cases were frauds using some form of technology.

• Haryana also arrested maximum number of cyber crime accused, 137, last year. Most of the arrested accused, numbering 60, were in the 18-30 age group, followed by 43 in 30-45 age group and 27 in 45-60 age group. Six accused were above 60 years of age.

• Most cases under the IT Act were registered in Haryana under section 66 (1) of the Act for offences of destroying information in computers. Twelve cases were of obscene electronic transmission of content.

• As many as 27 sections of IT Act and 24 sections of IPC cover various cyber crime offences.

• It is important to note that there is no special mention of hacking in the IT Act, 2000. But it is derived under the Section 66 of Computer Related offences, where there is a mention of maximum sentence of 3 years.

Factfile:

Cases under IPC: 116

Cases under IT Act: 66

Fraud cases: 89

Arrests: 137