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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Oppn, X users flag concerns over US envoy Sergio Gor’s visit to Army’s western command
New Delhi: A visit by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to Chandigarh on Monday has triggered sharp criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, raising questions about national security and foreign policy.
On X, Ambassador Gor announced his visit, writing, “Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army.”
Just landed in Chandigarh. Looking forward to visiting the Western Command of the Indian Army
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) February 16, 2026
Soon after, opposition voices questioned the broader implications of the visit. Congress Kerala, in a post, commented, “Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings. Didn't they say then ‘Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?’ Compared to that, this is very small.”
Why so much panic? We’ve already seen Pakistan's ISI getting access to Pathankot Airbase with this government's blessings.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 16, 2026
Didn't they say then "Modi ne kiya ho to kuch soch samajh kar kiya hoga?"
Compared to that, this is very small. pic.twitter.com/gNNuAGQBPC
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also weighed in, writing, “Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that.”
She further added, “India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to know from their own government. US Ambassador is doing the job for his nation, who is doing for us? The answer is blowing in the wind.”
Since India’s national strategic interests are now tied to what US wants India to do, this visit seems to sync with that. India’s history will remember the de-escalation announcement between India and Pak was announced on social media by the US President before Indians got to… pic.twitter.com/rYMq5NhJHA
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) February 16, 2026
The visit comes against the backdrop of the growing US-India defence partnership.
Writer and political analyst @rajuparulekar commented on ‘X’, “East India Company is back!”
“Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in india?” asked another user.
Several X users expressed concerns over the appropriateness of the visit.
One asked, “Is it allowed for an ambassador to visit any army unit in India?” Another wrote, “Why an ambassador visiting our army places? To talk to Chandigarh lobby for F-35?”
Why an ambassador visiting our army places ? To talk to chandigarh lobby for f-35 ??
— Rohan Sagar (@RohanSagar03) February 16, 2026
“We have completely sold Indian sovereignty. Rothschild the evil Bankers will now control NSE. Modi sold Bharat Mata to Trump . And now American imperialist is visiting our army command . Scary,” wrote another user.
“The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?,” opined another.
The Indian Army isn’t part of geopolitics, so why is he interested in visiting there?
— Aditya Pratap Singh (@Adi_IIMCIAN) February 16, 2026
On Sunday, Gor welcomed Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), highlighting efforts to expand the growing US-India defence partnership.
In a post on X, Gor wrote, “Delighted to have @INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo in India to expand the U.S.-India defense partnership. Now is the time to strengthen vital cooperation between our two nations.”
On Monday, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr visited the headquarters of India’s Western Army Command along with the American envoy Sergio Gor. The delegation was briefed on the formation’s capabilities, its past operations, and future plans.
The American delegation also visited Bengaluru, where they met three start-ups, two in the space sector and one in defence, and participated in an Indo-US conference.
