Punjab Government Approves Establishment of 28 Cyber Crime Police Stations to Combat Online Offences

Punjab Government Approves Establishment of 28 Cyber Crime Police Stations to Combat Online Offences

In a proactive move to address the escalating threat of cyber crimes, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has greenlit the establishment of 28 new Cyber Crime Police stations across all 28 police districts, including three Commissionerates. This strategic decision aims to bolster the state’s capacity to tackle a wide array of cyber-related offences, as announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav.

Acknowledging the imperative to confront cyber threats head-on, Punjab Police Department has spearheaded a proposal to fortify its cybercrime investigation infrastructure. DGP Gaurav Yadav expressed gratitude towards CM Bhagwant Singh Mann for swiftly approving the proposal, emphasizing that these dedicated Cyber Crime Police Stations will serve as central hubs for probing and combating cyber crimes such as online financial fraud, identity theft, cyberbullying, hacking, and online scams.

The newly established Cyber Crime Police Stations will boast state-of-the-art technology and will be manned by highly trained personnel specializing in digital forensics and cybercrime investigation. Under the oversight of the respective District SSP/CP and overall monitoring by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Cyber Crime, these stations will ensure swift and effective responses to cyber threats. It’s noteworthy that Punjab currently operates only one cybercrime police station, established in 2009.

To further augment the capabilities of law enforcement in cybercrime investigations, the Chief Minister has allocated Rs 30 crore for the enhancement of the Digital Investigation Training and Analysis Centre (DITAC Lab) at State Cyber Crime Division and Cyber Crime Investigation & Technical Support Units (CI&TSUs) at the district level. This infusion of funds will enable the acquisition of the latest Software Forensics Tools, empowering Punjab Police to tackle complex cases involving Child Sexual Assault Material (CSAM), GPS data retrieval, IoS/Android Password Breaking, Cloud data retrieval, Drone Forensics, and Cryptocurrency crimes.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, ADGP Cyber Crime V Neeraja underscored how criminals exploit digitalization to exploit vulnerabilities in online infrastructure, posing a threat to individuals and businesses alike. With the proliferation of social media platforms, both youth and senior citizens are increasingly susceptible to cyber frauds. The establishment of these Cyber Crime Police Stations is expected to play a pivotal role in curbing cyber crimes and safeguarding citizens from digital threats.

Meanwhile, Punjab’s State Cyber Crime Office operates a 24×7 helpline (1930) to receive reports of online financial frauds and other cybercrimes. Key objectives of the Cyber Crime Police Stations include providing prompt assistance to victims, conducting thorough investigations, collaborating with national and international law enforcement agencies, raising public awareness about cyber risks, and implementing innovative strategies to counter emerging threats.

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