Defence tech service provider firm's data hacked, company claims Rs 50-cr loss
Noida (UP), Dec 14: Critical and classified data of a Noida-based private company, providing technology solutions to the country's defence forces, has been allegedly hacked, leading to theft of confidential information, police said on Monday.
The company, ELCOM Innovations, claimed that the cyber attack has caused it an estimated loss of Rs 50 crore.
An FIR has been lodged in connection with the case at the Sector 39 police station, while an investigation has been launched by the Cyber Cell, a police official said.
"It is, hereby, informed that on account of the hacking of my emails along with the emails of other members of my department, the company has incurred heavy financial losses and irreparable damage to its reputation," a senior executive of the firm alleged in the FIR lodged on Saturday.
"It may also be noted that our company, ELCOM Innovations Private Limited, exclusively deals with the Defence Forces, Para Military Forces and Intelligence Agencies of the country, thereby, having access to critical and classified data," according to the FIR, a copy of which is available with PTI.
The executive claimed that majority of the hacked emails were of "extremely sensitive" nature and "of substantial financial value", owing to the fact that most of the company's solutions are customised for the agencies served.
"We estimate a financial loss of approximately Rs 50 crore, over and above the loss of goodwill and reputation in the industry," the company official stated.
The company could not be immediately contacted for its response.
According to the police, the FIR has been lodged against an identified accused under Indian Penal Code section 420 (cheating) and section 66 of the Information Technology Act.
The police suspect the role of a company insider in the case, but a detailed investigation is underway, an official privy to the probe said.
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Two held for 'firing' at BJP leader's house in Bengal
Kolkata (PTI): A day before the counting of votes for the West Bengal assembly elections, two persons were arrested on Sunday for allegedly being involved in a firing incident outside the residence of a BJP leader in North 24 Parganas district, police said.
BJP leader Kundan Singh lodged a police complaint, alleging that a few gunmen fired at his house in the Noapara constituency around Saturday midnight.
Based on the CCTV footage, the two accused were apprehended, a senior officer said.
BJP's Noapara candidate Arjun Singh, in a post on social media, claimed that around 12.05 am, two armed miscreants arrived on a motorcycle at the residence of Kundan Singh, a BJP functionary and secretary of the Barrackpore organisational district, with an "intent to kill him".
According to the BJP leader, the accused are residents of Garulia and are known criminals.
Their names as offenders had been submitted to the Election Commission, he said.
The police officer did not specify whether the two arrested persons were the same individuals named by Arjun Singh.
According to the complaint, one round of firing took place outside Kundan Singh's house, triggering panic in the area.
The BJP candidate also questioned the role of the police, claiming that one of the accused had been detained by the police on the polling day but was later released in the evening.
The Noapara assembly seat went to the polls on April 29.
Several BJP leaders alleged that attempts were being made to create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the counting and weaken the organisation of the opposition parties.
The counting of votes will take place on May 4. Polling for the West Bengal assembly elections was held on April 23 and April 29.
The BJP urged the Election Commission to intervene immediately to ensure peaceful counting.
TMC candidate Somnath Shyam rubbished Arjun Singh’s allegation, claiming that the BJP nominee had orchestrated the firing incident to divert attention from imminent defeat.
“Arjun Singh knows all the gangsters in the Barrackpore belt. Everyone knows about his links with the underworld. Let the police investigate the incident,” Shyam said.
