HT Exclusive: Mumbai police to have 4 new cyber cells

The Mumbai police will soon set up four more cyber cells on the lines of present Cyber Crime Investigation Cell (CCIC).

The Mumbai police will soon set up four more cyber cells on the lines of present Cyber Crime Investigation Cell (CCIC). The four cells will be part of the city crime branch and are likely to be functional in a couple of months, new crime branch chief and joint commissioner of police Atulchandra Kulkarni told HT.

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On November 11, HT had reported a 207% rise in cybercrime in Mumbai. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had taken cognisance of the HT report and responded within four days, asking the Mumbai police what they require to crack down on cybercrime.

Authorities first came up with a plan to set up four separate cyber police stations to tackle cybercrime. After finding the procedure to set up a police station lengthy, time consuming and involving multiple procedures, however, it was decided to set up new cells.

The cells will conduct investigations after a cybercrime case is registered at any police station. The cells themselves cannot register a complaint. “Each cell will have equipment and tools similar to the present CCIC units. Also the units will be equipped with high-capacity back-up servers,” Kulkarni said.