Cybercrime soars over 400% in rural, semi-urban India
New Delhi: Cybercrime in India has surged by more than 400% over the last four years, with rural and semi-urban areas emerging as the new epicentres of digital fraud, according to data from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The data, cited by The New Indian Express, revealed that a sharp rise in internet penetration and online transactions has led to a shift in cybercrime reporting from metropolitan cities to smaller towns and villages. States like Bihar, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Telangana have seen dramatic increases in complaints, highlighting growing vulnerabilities in regions with limited cyber awareness.
Data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), also cited by TNIE, shows a steep jump in reported cybercrime cases—from 4,52,429 in 2021 to 22,68,346 in 2024. In the first six months of 2025 alone, 12,47,393 cases have already been logged, putting the year on course for another grim record. This more-than-400 percent surge between 2021 and 2024 represents one of the fastest growth rates in digital crime globally.
Maharashtra recorded the highest number of total cybercrime cases in 2024, with 3,03,173 incidents—up from 40,987 in 2021, reflecting a 640% rise.
Telangana witnessed a staggering 1,000% increase in cybercrime complaints, while Odisha's cases surged from 6,053 in 2021 to 53,488 in 2024, marking a 783% rise. Gujarat reported an 825% jump, and Karnataka, despite being a technology hub, saw a 764% increase, going from 19,609 cases in 2021 to 1,69,384 in 2024.
In response, the MHA’s Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has rolled out key initiatives such as the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting System and helpline 1930. These efforts have helped recover over Rs 5,489 crore across 17.8 lakh complaints.
Additionally, over 9.42 lakh SIM cards and 2.63 lakh IMEIs have been blocked to curb fraudulent activity. Cyber forensic-cum-training labs have been established in 33 states and union territories, and more than 24,600 police and judicial personnel have received training in cybercrime investigation and response.
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Raghav Chadha deleted X posts critical of Modi, BJP: AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj on Saturday claimed that party MP Raghav Chadha has deleted his earlier posts on X that were critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.
He also claimed that the Rajya Sabha MP's posts shared by AAP leaders had also disappeared from his account.
There was no immediate response from Chadha to Bharadwaj's allegations, which came amid the ongoing feud between the AAP and the Rajya Sabha MP. The spat came out in the open after the party removed Chadha as its deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
In a post on X on Saturday, Bharadwaj claimed that a search of Chadha's timeline using keywords such as "BJP" and "Modi" did not show any critical remarks. Only two posts mentioning Modi remain and both praise the prime minister.
Posts earlier quoted by AAP leaders have also disappeared from Chadha's account, he alleged.
Describing the move as "more than a routine clean up", the Delhi AAP chief said Chadha had "reshaped his public profile on the platform".
"Raghav Chadha, who was once a sharp critic of Modi and the BJP, has completely erased his old image and presented a new, polished version of himself like one put through a washing machine," Bharadwaj said.
The way Chadha's timeline has been systematically altered reflects the level of preparation behind it, he said.
The AAP has accused Chadha of shying away from raising his voice against PM Modi and the Centre in Parliament and instead engaging in "soft PR". Chadha, however, has dismissed the allegations as "lies" and asserted that he went to Parliament to raise people's issues and not create ruckus.
Raghav Chaddha has deleted all his earlier posts on X that were critical of Modi or BJP.
— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) April 4, 2026
As suggested by some on X, I searched Raghav’s timeline for “BJP” or “Modi”
There are no critical posts there. This means he has deleted all his earlier posts too. The only 2 posts with… pic.twitter.com/R7a8fH1LT8
