Karnataka records only 0.23% conviction rate in cybercrime cases due to procedural gaps
Bengaluru: Karnataka's conviction rate in cybercrime cases remains alarmingly low, with only 204 convictions recorded from 85,642 cases registered under the Information Technology Act between 2020 and July 2025.
According to data obtained by the Deccan Herald, the rate of conviction is only 0.23 percent. The data also reveals that 2024 had the highest number of registered cases at 22,472. Out of which only 20 were convicted. Senior authorities have blamed the low rate of conviction on procedural flaws, a backlog of cases and obstacles specific to cybercrime investigations.
Compliance with in-person notifications and warrants also becomes difficult for investigating authorities as they face challenges in locating witnesses who live across the country. The preservation of digital evidence poses another critical problem.
“The very nature of electronic evidence is such that it gets lost over time, naturally,” said C Vamsi Krishna, Joint Commissioner of Police (West Bengaluru). He cited instances where courts requested raw CCTV footage during trials, only for cases to collapse because original files were overwritten after a few weeks.
Experts also pointed to the limited cooperation from intermediaries such as banks, Internet Service Providers, and social media platforms. “Most of the reliable evidence gets stuck with intermediaries, who seldom cooperate. Until they are held accountable like other suspects, securing convictions becomes challenging,” said Vijayashankar Nagarajarao, a Bengaluru-based cyberlaw expert. He noted that encrypted and anonymous services such as Proton Mail continue to hinder investigations. He called for stricter enforcement against non-compliant entities.
Financial complexities further obstruct investigation as the cybercriminals often use ‘mule accounts’ to launder proceeds through multiple layers of transactions. Investigators have traced money through as many as 1,000 accounts in few cases. Each of these cases requires separate verification and compliance processes.
Authorities noted that legal reforms are being considered to strengthen investigations and trials. “We have learnt from our experiences and have incorporated solutions into our training. Regular sessions are being conducted for police, prosecutors, and judicial officers,” Krishna said.
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Couple, son 'hacked' to death over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand's Palamu
Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.
Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.
The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.
A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.
The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.
The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.
