‘Cyber crimes, Cyber Laws in India & Electronic Evidence’

Kohima, May 24 (MExN): A one-way awareness and training programme on ‘Cyber crimes, Cyber Laws in India & Electronic Evidence’ was held at NEILIT, Meriema, Kohima on May 24. 

Organized under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) in collaboration with Alliance Law Office, New Delhi and National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology, Nagaland, the training was conducted with resource persons from Supreme Court judges and cyber lawyers, New Delhi- Advocate Manish Manocha, Supreme Court of India and Advocate Meena Bhandari, Supreme Court 

Reema Bhandari, opening the training session remarked that the cyber space which is like an open book need to be taken cognizance of as internet and technology is “spinning at a very high speed, while the wheels of justice against cyber crimes is seen to be lacking far behind the evolution and by the time laws or policies are implemented, it will become outdated.” She therefore called for reactive and proactive approach towards this. 

Pointing that internet and cyber space has given us the advantages of creating knowledge base, preserving central database of criminals or getting, quick timely response using information available on internet and keep oneself abreast to important and latest judgements, the advocate also reflected that increased rate of crimes, security of database reposes equal questions of security. 

Manish Manocha delving on cyber attacks underscored that by 2020, 25 percent of cyber attacks against enterprises will involve IoT devices and 63% are the result of compromised user passwords and usernames. He also said that over 60% of online frauds are accomplished through mobile platforms. 

The advocate then gave insights to cyber laws in India. These sections under Information Technology Act 2000 have therefore been amended in 2008 to also find tune with other criminal laws such as the Indian Penal Code, CrPC evidence act, Negotiable Instruments Act among others. He also added that as a matter, to regulate cyber space, more technical spaces are getting interlinked or combined efforts of self regulation and government intervention are being undertaken stating an instance when TRAI banned bulk SMSs and SPAM. 

He also cited penalties with regard to justice dispensation. Prominent among them are Penalty and compensation for damage to computer, computer system under Section 43 of the IT Act or Data theft under S 43(J), Identity Theft (Section 66-c) which are all punishable under law with imprisonment and fine. 

Meena who dealt with cyber terrorism, Publishing or Transmitting Obscene material in Electronic Form or child pornography noted that these forms of criminals are way ahead and very intelligent. She also added that cyber stalking is a huge cause of concern today and told the attendees that these cases, however underreported have relevant sections of punishment. 

Manish Manocha, giving some important dos and don’ts of internet suggested to “go incognito” on all Personal computers, laptops. He also warned on saving passwords and usernames for various social media accounts. On the side of anti-virus he suggested to update regularly. On phone, “disabling of ge-tagging feature, or use of “wipe your phone” features were suggested upon. 

Earlier, the Former Member Secretary NSLSA & District & Sessions Judge, Phek inaugurated the Training Programme and released the bi-annual newsletter (October 2018- March 2019 issue). She noted that ICT with its wide aspects and its integration in our lives has come to provide great opportunities but added that sound legal foundation and understanding of the cyber world has also become very necessary. With growing cases of cyber crimes, it is imperative to have knowledge of latest cases and policies, she said. 

Er. Lanuwapang Lemtur, Director NIELIT also delivered a speech and observed that our lack of knowledge on safeguarding electronic evidence or cyber forensic analysis is prevalent among law enforcement agencies, for which, he said such calls the need for training and education in this field through the help of experts. Tongpang L Jamir, project coordinator chaired the programme.

This was stated in a press release issued by the Public Relations Assistant, NSLSA.