Software engineer Lakshmana Kailash K. may have suffered in jail for 50 days as the result of an error.
But his nightmare could result in a change in the way the Maharashtra police will go about investigating cyber crimes.
The Pune police have prepared a new cyber crime investigation manual, which lists scientific procedures to be followed while probing a cyber crime.
“The manual has been sent to the office of the Director General of Police for approval. Once approved, it will be circulated to all the district police headquarters,” said Rajendra Dahale, deputy Commissioner of Police (cyber cell). The Maharashtra police do not have a cyber crime investigation manual as yet.
Lakshmana’s case prompted the Pune police to introduce a cyber crime investigation manual and train their staff to avoid a repeat of his case.
Lakshmana was arrested from Bangalore in August 2007 for allegedly posting defamatory remarks against Maratha warrior king, Shivaji, on social networking site Orkut. Investigations revealed that Lakshmana was a victim of a flawed investigating process.
His company had provided a wrong Internet protocol address to investigators, thereby dragging Lakshmana into the case. He was freed when the police realised the mistake.
{{/usCountry}}His company had provided a wrong Internet protocol address to investigators, thereby dragging Lakshmana into the case. He was freed when the police realised the mistake.
{{/usCountry}}The state human rights commission took suo motu cognisance of the case and asked the police to come out with a manual and train its staff. The cyber crime cell of the Pune police then began preparing the manual.
State human rights commission Chairman Justice Kshitij R Vyas conducted a trial and cleared the police of all charges while ordering Lakshmana’s company to pay him Rs 2 lakh as compensation.