On October 11, 2024, then Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (now Chief Minister) inaugurated a state-of-the-art Cyber Crime Investigation Capability Center in Navi Mumbai, a Rs 837 crore project.
At the event, he noted, “As cyber threats become more advanced, we need to stay ahead with proactive and innovative solutions.” However, this vision of innovation and foresight seems to be at odds with the reality of Mumbai’s police force, where top officials seem to dismiss the rising tide of cybercrime.
This disconnect is clearly evident in the fact that Mumbai’s Cyber Police Department has been without a full-time Commissioner of Police (DCP) for 575 days—18 months and 25 days—as of December 23, 2024.
Despite several requests from within the department, the state home department and the Mumbai police commissioner have failed to appoint a full-time DCP for the cyber police division. For the past 18 months, various DCPs of the Metropolitan Crime Branch have been temporarily given the additional responsibility of overseeing the Cyber Crime Unit. Bal Singh Rajput, the last full-time DCP of the department, resigned on May 29, 2023.
The invisible crisis
Cybercrime cases in Mumbai have grown exponentially, with the total financial fraud from such crimes rising by nearly 350 percent in the past one year to over Rs 1,200 crore. However, the recovery rate for these cases remains alarmingly low at only 11-12 percent. Failure to proactively address the problem is devastating countless families with financial loss, and the city’s police force seems increasingly apathetic to this increasingly modern day menace.
A full-time DCP is required for the Cyber Police Department, as this officer oversees the operations of five regional cyber police stations in Mumbai. These stations handle sensitive and high-value cases involving frauds of more than 1 million, making the position critical for effective detection, prevention and strategic response to these crimes.
An innovative method for effective cure of cyber crime introduced by DCP Cyber can be replicated by other regional DCPs in Mumbai to tackle the menace of this fast-growing crime, an official said.
A senior IPS officer of the Mumbai Police confirmed that there has been no full-time DCP cyber for over a year and a half. Several internal requests for this position have been ignored, raising serious concerns about the city’s commitment to combating cybercrimes.
A cyber expert said, “It is unfortunate that the city’s cyber police department, which is considered the nodal agency for detecting and preventing cyber crimes, is without a full-time DCP.”
Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar, Special Commissioner Deven Bharti and Mumbai Police PRO DCP Datta Nalavde did not respond to phone calls and text messages for their comments on the non-appointment of a full-time DCP Cyber for 18 months.
Importance of full-time DCP cyber
A dedicated full-time DCP cyber is critical to addressing the rapidly evolving nature of cybercrime. A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stressed the need for a dedicated leader in the post. “If entrusted with this responsibility, a full-time senior officer will focus on identifying key trends, analyzing their root causes and formulating long-term solutions to prevent these crimes from escalating,” the official said.
A permanent DCP Cyber will also collaborate with agencies fighting national and international cybercrime, creating a comprehensive strategy to tackle the theft of personal data – a key tool used by fraudsters to target victims. However, Mumbai’s cyber police department acts reactively, tackling only the most high-profile cases, adopting a broad strategy to dismantle organized cyber criminal networks operating locally and abroad.
Fast-evolving threats, slow response
Cybercrime is a rapidly evolving threat with new methods, techniques and criminal gangs emerging regularly. However, the Mumbai Police is lagging behind. As long as they analyze and respond to new cybercrime methods, fraudsters will continue to cause significant harm. Without a full-time DCP, the department’s ability to train officers and implement effective counter measures has been severely compromised, a source in the cyber department said.
Another officer added, “A full-time DCP will ensure we stay one step ahead of criminals. They will regularly interact with law enforcement agencies in other cities and countries, stay updated on new trends, and share intelligence on criminal networks, helping us prepare better solutions.” helps to
Unfortunately, decision-making within the Cyber Police Department has been delayed due to the lack of a full-time chief. Serious problems faced by lower-ranking officers often go unheard, further hampering the department’s ability to respond quickly and effectively.
A senior Home Department official said, “We are aware of this and are working on it. The additional charge of DCP Cyber is handled by another DCP and does not stop the work of the department. ” However, the officer did not deny the importance of having a full-time DCP.
With cybercrime cases on the rise, the official claimed that it was because the Mumbai police showed complete transparency in recording cases. “In fact, our response is good when compared to other agencies in the country,” the official said.
Lack of leadership, resources
The cyber police department is also functioning without the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), who has been vacant for a few months. In addition to lack of leadership, the department suffers from severe manpower shortage with over 40% of posts unfilled. The department is staffed with only 12 police inspectors, far short of the 20 required for effective operations.
An officer of the department said, “The officers are overburdened with many cases. Many have more than 35 cases each, which severely limits their ability to conduct in-depth research. Cybercrime is not just a statistical issue – it’s about people’s lives, their savings and sometimes, their future.”
Currently, the West Zone Cyber Police Station is the worst-burdened unit, with cyber crime cases increasing from 138 FIRs last year to 350 till September 30, 2024. Officials estimate the number of cases to exceed 500 by the end of the year. Despite this sharp increase in cases, there has been no increase in staff or resources to handle the increased workload.
The financial toll
One of the most alarming aspects of this crisis is the lack of accurate data on the financial toll of cybercrime in Mumbai. Despite repeated inquiries under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the city police force has not been able to provide reliable figures on how much money Mumbaikars have lost to various cyber crimes.
In fact, the police department does not even keep a detailed record of the amount involved in cyber crime incidents reported at local police stations. Only five of the 99 police stations track this information, and there is no collection system for the city at police headquarters.
A senior police officer admitted, “We have no mechanism to track and analyze the financial impact of cyber crime. But we are working on it and hope to implement the system soon.
Slow response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government have urged to address the growing threat of cyber crime, but the response at the local level has been slow.
A cyber police officer said, ‘Prime Minister and Home Ministry are taking cyber crime seriously but Mumbai Police seems apathetic. It is shameful that our city, often recognized as one of the best police forces in the world, has failed to adequately respond to cyber threats that destroy lives. “
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