Cybercrime Incidents Surge by 43% in Telangana in 2024

Hyderabad, Dec 29 (NationPress) Telangana has experienced a significant 43.33% increase in cybercrime incidents in the year 2024, while the total crime rate has escalated by 22.53%.

In 2024, there were 25,184 cybercrime cases reported, compared to 17,571 cases in 2023.

From January to November, the state saw 1,69,477 cognizable crimes reported, up from 1,38,312 cognizable crimes the previous year.

On Sunday, the Director General of Police, Dr. Jitender, unveiled the annual police report, indicating an uptick in various crimes, including murders, rapes, cheating, robbery, and burglary.

Addressing the issue of cybercrimes, the police chief noted that Rs 180 crore was traced and returned to victims in 2024, a dramatic increase from Rs 8 crore in 2023, marking a 2,060% rise.

Additionally, the DGP reported that Rs 247 crore was frozen in 2024, compared to Rs 128 crore in 2023.

The police also took action against cyber offenders by blocking 14,984 SIM cards, 9,811 IMEIs, and 1,825 URLs/websites throughout the year.

The DGP emphasized that law and order were effectively maintained within the state, with successful interventions against violent crimes and the activities of Maoist, communal, and terrorist organizations.

Maoist activities were kept largely under control, with police successfully countering the plans of the CPI (Maoist) to form small action teams. This resulted in four exchanges of fire, neutralizing 14 extremists and seizing 24 firearms in Telangana.

The police chief reported the arrest of 85 extremists, including a member of the Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist), a State Committee member, and a State Committee Secretary of CPI (ML) ND. Additionally, 41 extremists surrendered.

The DGP stated that the government prioritizes the crackdown on narcotics, aiming for a zero drug availability status in the state. The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) has been established to address drug trafficking comprehensively, which includes the cultivation, production, transportation, smuggling, sale, purchase, possession, or consumption of psychotropic substances, drugs, and narcotics.

In 2024, TGANB recorded 1942 drug cases, arrested 4,682 individuals, and confiscated drugs worth Rs 142.95 crore. Furthermore, orders were obtained to freeze properties valued at Rs 55.8 crore of those involved in ten NDPS Act cases, with processes ongoing for an additional 122 cases.

The police chief also highlighted a smooth transition to the new criminal law framework effective from July 1, 2024. The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) has been updated to comply with the new laws, making Telangana the first state in India to issue a digitally signed FIR copy under these regulations.

From July 1 to November 30, a total of 85,190 cases were registered under the New Criminal Laws, including 15,360 cases in Cyberabad, 10,501 cases in Hyderabad, and 10,271 cases in Rachakonda. Additionally, 1,313 zero FIRs were filed under the new legal provisions.