While cybercrime cases in Telangana and Hyderabad continue to rise, conviction rates remain very low. Much of this has to do with acquittals cases ending without a guilty verdict which is causing concern among victims, legal experts, and law enforcement.
Key Numbers & Scale
- In 2023, Telangana reported 18,236 cybercrime cases, making it one of the states with the highest numbers in India. Hyderabad also ranked high among metro cities.
- Of those many cases, only 26 people were convicted across the state, whereas 760 were acquitted.
- In specific categories, acquittals were especially high:
Fraud: 461 acquitted in Telangana; 30 in Hyderabad.
Transmission or publication of obscene or sexually explicit electronic content: 378 acquitted in Telangana, 29 in Hyderabad.
Identity theft, cheating by personation, computer related offences, among others, also show a large number of acquittals.
Why So Many Acquittals?
From official data and legal reports, several factors drive the high acquittal rate:
- Lack of Strong Evidence
Many cybercrime cases are technical; gathering digital evidence that holds up in court is difficult. Issues like data integrity, chain of custody, and authentication are frequently challenged. - Interstate Jurisdiction Issues
Accused persons often live in other states or countries. They might not be produced in court despite warrants; delays and legal technicalities lead to dismissal or acquittal. - Complainant Behavior
Sometimes complainants fail to appear in court, turn hostile, or do not provide required testimony. Without cooperation from victims, prosecution becomes difficult. - Delay & Case Backlog
The legal and judicial process for cybercrime cases can take years. With courts overloaded and delayed investigations, the burden of proof becomes harder for prosecution. - Technical & Legal Loopholes
Laws like the IT Act and IPC require careful interpretation. Defence lawyers often exploit lapses in procedure or mismatches between legal provisions and how evidence was collected.
Implications & Concerns
- Victim Trust Issues: High acquittal rates discourage victims from reporting cybercrimes or pursuing legal action, believing justice is unlikely.
- Impunity: Cybercriminals may get emboldened if acquittal seems likely. This weakens deterrence.
- Wasted Resources: Police and cybercrime bureaus invest time and money; acquittals mean many efforts are lost.
- Public Safety Risks: Digital fraud, identity theft, and online harassment remain dangerous if legal repercussions are weak.
What Can Be Done To Improve Convictions
- Better Evidence Collection & Digital Forensics: Invest more in technical training, labs, and tools. Ensure digital evidence is collected properly so it’s admissible.
- Faster Trials & Dedicated Courts: Special cybercrime courts or fast track processes can reduce delays.
- Stronger Interstate Cooperation: Mechanisms to ensure production of accused from different states and better coordination between police departments.
- Victim Support: Legal aid and assistance to ensure victims continue participation through the judicial process.
- Public Awareness: Educate people about reporting cybercrime properly, preserving evidence, and the importance of following up in court.
What This Means Moving Forward
Telangana’s surge in cybercrime cases and the low rate of convictions is a critical issue for its legal system. If reforms are made, it can become a model for how other states handle digital crimes. If not, increasing cyber offences might continue unchecked.
