Parl passes bill for life imprisonment to cyber terrorists

The bill, amending the Information Technology Act, 2000 prescribes stiff punishment for offences related to misuse of computers and communication equipment.

It seeks addition of provisions to deal with new form of cyber crimes like publicising sexually explicit materials in electronic form, video voyeurism, breach of confidentiality, leakage of data by intermediary and e-commerce frauds.

Dishonestly receiving stolen computer resource, identity theft, cheating by personation by using computer resource, violation of privacy will be treated severely with imprisonment up to three years apart from fine.

For those indulging in cyber terrorism with the intent to threaten the unity, integrity, security or sovereignty of the country or to strike terror in the people, the punishment would be stiff. The bill stipulates life imprisonment for such an offence.

The provisions come in the wake of terrorists often using internet for perpetrating crime and claiming responsibility. Transmitting material containing sexually explicit acts in electronic form would be punishable by imprisonment of up to five years along with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

Similarly, publishing or transmitting of material depicting children in sexually explicit act in electronic form would also invite a punishment of up to five years and a fine of upto Rs 10 lakh.

It is proposed to set up a Cyber Appellate Tribunal. The Rajya Sabha also passed the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Reservation in Posts and Services) Bill, 2008.

The bill seeks to make reservation for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in civil services under the Central government a statutory right instead of the provision being implemented through “administrative instructions”.

“At present, administrative instructions issued by the Central government from time to time, provide reservation of appointments or posts for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in civil services,” the statement of objects and reasons of the bill said.

The bill seeks to make this a “statutory right” backing the instructions, it said adding, the bill aims to meet the “constitutional goal of securing justice, liberty and equality for all citizens and in promoting fraternity among them.”