The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in its crime database for the year 2017 has for the first time included cyber stalking and cyber bullying of women under the cyber crimes against women.
555 cases of cyber stalking and cyber bullying of women have been registered across India in the year 2017, with Maharashtra registering the most number of cases — 301 — among the states. Andhra Pradesh, with 48 cases, is at second position and 27 cases were reported from Telangana and Haryana each, putting them at third position. These cases are registered under Section 354D (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code and are read with the IT Act. Over, a total of 4,242 incidents of cyber crimes against women were recorded in India in 2017.
The report also mentions cyber stalking and cyber bulling cases against children. A total of seven cases were reported from across India, with three cases being reported from Maharashtra. Across India, a total of 88 cyber crimes against children were reported.
Among the metro cities, a total of 193 cases were reported and Mumbai had the most incidents of cyber bullying and cyber stalking — 132— followed by Pune, which had 25 reported cases. Kozhikode in Kerala was the only south city in the list, with three reported cases.
During 2017, 56.0% of cyber-crime cases registered were for the motive of fraud (12,213 out of 21,796 cases) followed by sexual exploitation with 6.7% (1,460 cases) and causing disrepute with 4.6% (1,002 cases).
2,743 cyber crime cases were registered in Bengaluru in 2017, accounting for nearly 38% of the cyber crime cases, the highest among cities across the country. 97% of the cases registered in Bengaluru, were computer-related offences. This included 2,178 cases of identity theft, 22 cases of violation of privacy, and 78 cases of publishing or transmitting material containing sexually explicit acts.
Karnataka registered the third highest number of cyber-crime cases (3,174) in the country behind Uttar Pradesh (4,971) and Maharashtra (3,604). More than 86% of the cases in Karnataka were registered in Bengaluru alone.
A few months ago, the Union Home Ministry had come out with a booklet on cyber safety for teenagers that tries to address their increased use of smartphones, gadgets, online gaming, social media and fake news. The 38-page booklet, titled "A Handbook for Students on Cyber Safety", also deals with the problems of cyber bullying, cyber grooming and email fraud.
The Home Ministry last year set up a Cyber and Information Security division to check the rapid growth of cyber crimes and cyber threats. It also aimed to introduce the cyber crime handbook in schools as a component of the school curriculum.