Only 2 convictions in cyber crime cases since 2008

Sources said many cyber cheating cases are in the stage of being quashed as the complainants have managed to reach a compromise with the arrested accused

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As per information available, the UT's Cyber Cell division, since its inception in 2008, has managed to secure only two convictions in all the cyber crime cases that it has registered so far.

The cyber crime graph has seen a steady upward march in Chandigarh and the sparse number of convictions, out of the hundreds of such cases registered in the last many years, seems to have emboldened the criminals.

As per information available, the UT’s Cyber Cell division, since its inception in 2008, has managed to secure only two convictions in all the cyber crime cases that it has registered so far.

Sources said many cyber cheating cases are in the stage of being quashed as the complainants have managed to reach a compromise with the accused.

Out of the two convictions, one was a case pertaining to the black dollar scam in which a Nigerian national was arrested way back in 2008, the very year when UT’s Cyber Crime Investigation Cell was established at the Crime Branch, Sector 11. The second case pertians to a sexual assault in which a man was arrested and convicted under charges of rape as well as under sections of Information Technology (IT) Act in 2017.

The accused in the case was handed a life imprisonment sentence by a court.

The black dollar scam, in which a Nigerian national was convicted, was investigated by then cyber cell personnel sub-inspector Hardit Singh and sub-inspector Gurmukh Singh. Both the policemen are now DSPs. The convicted foreign national was later deported to his native country from Amritsar.

An officer of the cyber crime wing said, “The ratio of registration of FIRs of cybercrimes out of the total complaints received has been very low for a long time. The registration of cases has increased in the last six-seven months. In a maximum number of cases, Section 420 (cheating) of IPC is applied along with the IT Act.

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Section 420 of IPC is a compoundable offense, in which a compromise between the two parties is allowed. In most cybercrime cases, suspects prefer to return the amount that they swindled to complainants, and strike a compromise before the case can be taken to its logical legal end. Though things have started changing now, as the courts have started taking a strict view of the nature of cyber crime.”

DSP (cybercrime) Rashmi Yadav Sharma agreed that the low conviction rate in cases of cyber crime was a matter of concern.

“The low conviction rate in cases of cyber crimes — including those of cheating, stalking, data theft — is a matter of great concern. But this problem is the same throughout the country. This is the reason that many states have called for the setting up of exclusive, special and independent cyber courts within their jurisdiction. Even many states/UTs have been demanding the formation of special cyber cell police stations, which will be capable of lodging FIRs independently. The issue of low conviction was among many that were discussed during the recently concluded Joint Cybercrime Coordination Team (JCCT) Group-5 meeting in UT,” DSP (cyber crime) Rashmi Yadav Sharma, said.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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