Karnataka to appoint DGP-rank officer for cybercrime investigations amid rising cases
Bengaluru: Karnataka is set to become the first Indian state to appoint a Director General of Police (DGP) to oversee cybercrime investigations, Home Minister G Parameshwara announced. The decision follows a proposal submitted by the Karnataka police, which the state government has accepted. This DGP will head the Cyber Economics and Narcotics (CEN) crime wing, which will be separated from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to create a dedicated unit.
The state already has four DGPs overseeing various departments, including the CID, Fire and Emergency Services, and Prisons. This new role will add a fifth DGP position focused exclusively on cybercrime, with an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) supporting the DGP. Additionally, seven Superintendents of Police (SPs) will manage cybercrime investigations across the state's regions.
Cybercrime rates in Karnataka have surged dramatically, with Bengaluru alone losing Rs 1,242.7 crore to cyber-related offences in just the first eight months of this year, surpassing losses recorded over the past three years combined. Bengaluru has also reported 12,356 cybercrimes through August, following 17,633 cases in 2023.
Highlighting the diversity of cybercrimes, Parameshwara noted these go beyond financial fraud to include fake news, harassment, and data theft. He emphasised the need for specialised expertise and senior oversight to tackle such crimes effectively.
The CEN wing's independence aims to enhance coordination among police units, both within Karnataka and with other states, by establishing a dedicated channel for inter-agency communication.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
