Punjab-Haryana High Court orders crackdown on cybercrime

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Directors General of Police in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to implement more stringent measures against cybercrime across all districts. The court concluded that the existing legal framework is inadequate to address the widespread nature of online fraud impacting the region.

During a bail hearing, Justice Sanjay Vashisth described cybercrime as having reached "epidemic proportions," affecting both urban and rural areas. The court noted the pervasive fear among bank account holders regarding unauthorized withdrawals and called for legislative reforms and harsher penalties to tackle the severity of the issue.

The ruling stems from a bail application linked to an alleged cyber fraud totaling approximately Rs 73 lakh (around $87,000 USD). The accused is suspected of clicking a WhatsApp link promoting online trading, which led to money being transferred into several bank accounts.

The court instructed the DGPs to ensure that district-level cybercrime cells proactively work to prevent suspicious funds from being moved abroad before recovery. The case highlights a recurring pattern where masterminds of fraud networks evade law enforcement, while intermediaries and account holders, often minimally compensated, are apprehended, underscoring legislative gaps.