Punjab-Haryana High Court orders crackdown on cybercrime

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the police chiefs of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to strengthen action against cybercrime across all districts, after finding the current legal framework inadequate. Justice Sanjay Vashisth, hearing a bail plea, said cybercrime has reached 'epidemic proportions,' affecting both urban and rural areas, and called for legislative reform and stricter penalties.

The order stems from a case involving an alleged cyber fraud of Rs 73 lakh. The complainant received a WhatsApp link for online trading and transferred money to multiple accounts. While granting bail, the court warned that any repeat offence would lead to cancellation of bail.

The court also flagged that masterminds evade arrest while account holders, often paid small sums to lend their bank credentials, face charges. It instructed cybercrime cells to prevent suspicious funds from being transferred abroad. The court noted that loan agents are sometimes drawn into these networks during processing.