Why Cybercrime Continues to Surge in India: Courts Raise Alarms, Real Issues Revealed

By Vinayak Singh | Published on April 3, 2025

Cybercrime in India is growing at a dangerous pace, leaving both citizens and the justice system struggling to keep up. Despite ongoing efforts from the government and recent legal amendments, online frauds, scams, and digital harassment continue to flourish. The situation is now so serious that multiple High Courts across the country have voiced their concern about the inadequate systems in place to deal with the cyber menace.

In 2024 alone, cybercriminals scammed Indians out of more than ₹22,800 crore, according to data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The total number of complaints? Over 1.9 million — a staggering figure that reflects just how widespread this digital epidemic has become.

📈 Explosive Growth in Cybercrime: What the Data Says

According to official records, cyber frauds, phishing attacks, online identity theft, and sextortion cases have seen an unprecedented rise. The evolving nature of these crimes makes it increasingly difficult for traditional law enforcement methods to keep up.

While the government has introduced new cybercrime-related provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), legal experts believe these are insufficient unless backed by tech-savvy enforcement and better infrastructure.

⚖️ Courts Step In: Judiciary Sounds the Alarm

The growing failure to curb cybercrime has caught the attention of India’s judiciary.

🔹 Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court recently highlighted gaps in laws governing online harassment and cyberbullying. It noted that current legal tools do not adequately protect victims from defamatory content, abusive comments, or obscene online behavior. The court emphasized the urgent need to upgrade legal mechanisms to better tackle the digital abuse epidemic.

🔹 Allahabad High Court

In another case, the Allahabad High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the police’s ability to investigate cyber offenses. During the bail hearing of a man accused of blackmailing a teenager by circulating her morphed photos online, the court questioned the preparedness of the Uttar Pradesh Police.

The court ordered the state’s DGP (Director General of Police) to file a personal affidavit, detailing:

• The police department’s cybercrime investigation capabilities

• Whether IT professionals are consulted during complex cases

• The steps being taken to train officers in digital crime detection

This strong intervention reflects the judiciary’s growing frustration over the slow progress in cybercrime policing.

🛡️ Legal Provisions Under BNS for Cyber Offenses

The updated Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita includes several new sections aimed at cybercrimes:

• Section 318: Deals with online fraud, including phishing, fake websites, and password theft

• Section 336: Addresses cases where fake digital identities are used to defame or harm others

• Section 365: Covers instances of online extortion and blackmail

While these additions mark a step forward, their effectiveness is questionable without proper technical implementation and real-time investigation tools.

🧠 The Core Problem: Lagging Enforcement in a Fast-Moving Digital World

Cybercrime is evolving rapidly. Scammers constantly adopt new methods, often staying one step ahead of law enforcement. Experts argue that the technology gap between criminals and police is one of the main reasons why India is failing to control the rise of cybercrime.

Many police departments still lack:

• Specialized cybercrime units

• Modern forensics labs

• Trained digital investigators

• Collaborative systems with tech companies or cybersecurity experts

🔍 Conclusion: Stronger Strategy, Not Just Stronger Laws

Laws alone cannot stop cybercrime. What India urgently needs is a multi-pronged strategy that includes:

• Advanced police training in digital investigations

• Hiring of IT experts in cybercrime cells

• Real-time tracking systems

• Public awareness campaigns

As courts begin to question law enforcement readiness, it’s a wake-up call for policymakers to invest in robust cyber infrastructure and ensure justice in the digital age.

Keywords: Cybercrime India, Cybercrime laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cyber laws, Kerala High Court cyberbullying, Allahabad High Court cybercrime, cyber fraud 2024, digital safety India, Indian cybercrime report