SRINAGAR: Cybercrime has been steadily on the rise in Jammu and Kashmir over the past few years, with a significant increase in the number of cases registered. According to the data shared by the government in Lok Sabha for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, the region has seen a marked uptick in both incidents and arrests related to cybercrime, though convictions have remained notably low.
In 2020, a total of 120 cybercrime cases were registered in Jammu and Kashmir. This number rose by 28 per cent to 154 cases in 2021, and then increased again to 173 cases in 2022, showing a clear upward trajectory in the number of cybercrimes reported. This increase highlights the growing prevalence of digital crimes in the region, which may be reflective of both the increasing use of technology and the expansion of internet access.
While the number of cases registered has been rising, the rate at which these cases are progressing through the legal system is concerning. In 2020, only 14 cases were chargesheeted, with the number increasing to 49 in 2021 and reaching 53 in 2022. This indicates that authorities are making strides in investigating and preparing cases for trial, but the overall proportion of chargesheeted cases compared to the total number of reported crimes remains low.
Arrests have been somewhat more frequent. In 2020, 33 individuals were arrested in connection with cybercrimes, a number that more than tripled to 102 arrests in 2021. In 2022, the number of arrests decreased slightly to 76. The increase in arrests can be seen as a positive sign of law enforcement agencies actively pursuing suspects in cybercrime cases.
However, the conviction rate remains deeply troubling. In both 2020 and 2021, no individuals were convicted in relation to the cybercrime cases that were pursued. It wasn’t until 2022 that a single conviction was recorded, which raises concerns about the effectiveness of the legal system in delivering justice in these cases. The lack of convictions may point to issues such as insufficient evidence, delays in the judicial process, or challenges in prosecuting cybercrimes.
The data underscores a growing challenge for Jammu and Kashmir’s law enforcement and judicial systems in tackling the increasing number of cybercrimes. Although arrests and chargesheeting have shown improvement, the low conviction rates signal a need for more effective investigation techniques, faster judicial processing, and perhaps more robust cyber laws to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
As cybercrimes continue to rise, the region may need to prioritise specialised training for law enforcement, invest in better technology to track digital offences, and strengthen public awareness around cyber safety. The current statistics point to a clear trend in the need for more efficient mechanisms to address cybercrime, both in terms of preventing it and ensuring that those responsible face appropriate consequences.
