In the tranquil valleys of Kashmir, where the echoes of nature often drown the noise of modernity, a new threat is silently infiltrating our lives — cybercrime. As an advocate practicing in the High Court & District Court at Srinagar, I have witnessed an alarming increase in cases involving cyber fraud, identity theft, financial scams, and online harassment over the past few years. What was once considered a problem of the metropolitan cities has now percolated into every corner of our society, including the serene streets of Srinagar.
What Is Cybercrime?
Cybercrime refers to any criminal activity that involves a computer, networked device, or a network. It includes crimes like hacking, data theft, phishing scams, identity theft, ransomware attacks, online stalking, defamation through social media, and even financial fraud through digital platforms. With the Digital India mission pushing more services online and the recent surge in digital banking, UPI transactions, and internet use due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our dependence on digital systems has never been higher — and neither has our vulnerability.
Cybercrime in Srinagar: A Growing Concern
While the perception may linger that cybercrimes are rare in Kashmir, the reality is starkly different. The cyber police station in Srinagar has been dealing with a rising number of complaints, especially from students, small business owners, and even elderly citizens. Commonly reported crimes include:
- Phishing scams where victims are lured into sharing OTPs or bank credentials.
- Loan app frauds where personal data is misused for extortion.
- Social media impersonation and blackmail using morphed images.
- Online job scams, particularly targeting youth seeking employment.
Moreover, the use of mobile phones and social media by teenagers, often unsupervised, has led to a surge in cyber bullying and mental health issues. Many are unaware that forwarding a morphed image or sharing someone’s private data without consent is a punishable cyber offence under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The Legal Framework: How the Law Protects You
India has a well-defined legal framework for dealing with cybercrime:
- The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act): This is the primary legislation for cybercrime, covering offenses such as hacking (Section 66), identity theft (Section 66C), cyber terrorism (Section 66F), and sending offensive messages through communication service (Section 66A — though read down by the Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India).
- Bharathiya Nyaya Sanhita: Provisions under IPC like Section 316 (cheating), 74 (Stalking using digital/online means), and 79 (Insulting modesty via gesture/words (online) are often invoked in cyber-related cases.
- Data Protection Bill (awaiting final implementation): Expected to bring a more robust framework for protecting personal data of individuals.
Despite these protections, awareness among the general public remains low, and often, victims hesitate to come forward due to social stigma or fear of police procedures.
How to Protect Yourself from Cybercrime
While law enforcement agencies are adapting to these challenges, the primary responsibility to stay safe online lies with us. Here are some practical tips every Kashmiri citizen — from students to shopkeepers — must follow:
- Secure Your Devices
- Always use strong passwords and change them regularly.
- Keep your operating systems and apps updated to the latest version.
- Install reliable antivirus software and firewalls.
- Be Cautious with Emails and Messages
- Never click on suspicious links, especially those promising rewards, lotteries, or urgent bank verifications.
- Check the sender’s email address — fraudsters often use fake IDs resembling official ones.
- Protect Your Financial Data
- Do not share your UPI PIN, OTPs, or passwords with anyone.
- Avoid using public Wi-Fi for banking or shopping.
- Enable two-factor authentication for your banking apps.
- Control Your Social Media Exposure
- Keep your social media profiles private.
- Be mindful of what you post — personal details can be used for social engineering.
- Report and block suspicious accounts immediately.
- Educate Your Family
- Talk to children about cyber safety — make them aware of grooming, online harassment, and privacy.
- Set parental controls and monitor app usage.
- For elders, guide them about digital payment apps and recognize warning signs of scams.
- Report without Delay
In case of any cybercrime, don’t hesitate — report immediately to:
- Cyber Police Station, Srinagar
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: www.cybercrime.gov.in
Timely reporting often increases the chance of tracing culprits and recovering lost money or data.
The Way Forward: Need for Awareness and Preparedness
Cybercrime is not just a legal or technological problem — it is a social one. We need comprehensive digital literacy programs in schools and colleges across Kashmir. The government must collaborate with legal professionals and IT experts to conduct awareness camps in rural areas, where people are often the most vulnerable due to lack of access to information.
Furthermore, corporates and startups operating in Kashmir must invest in cyber hygiene training for employees and adopt stringent data protection policies. As advocates, we have a moral duty to educate our clients about their rights and remedies under the law.
Conclusion
Kashmir may be known for its snow-capped peaks and soulful poetry, but in the digital era, we are no less prone to the storms of cybercrime than the rest of the country. As we open ourselves to the opportunities of the internet, let us also arm ourselves with the knowledge and caution to stay protected.
Cybercrime is here to stay — but so is the law, and more importantly, so is the power of awareness.
(Author is Advocate, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Srinagar)
