Cybercrime Cases Surge in 2024
Hyderabad: Cybercrime cases saw a sharp rise in 2024, with a 43 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to Telangana’s Director General of Police (DGP), Dr. Jitender.
Speaking at a press conference, the DGP revealed that 25,200 cybercrime cases were reported this year, a significant jump from 17,600 cases in 2023. Authorities managed to recover around ₹180 crore and return it to victims, while an additional ₹247 crore was frozen.
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Rise in Rape Cases
The DGP also disclosed a rise in rape cases, with about 2,950 incidents reported in 2024. Alarmingly, in 99 percent of these cases, the accused were known to the victims. Teenage relationships have been identified as a growing concern contributing to these statistics, Dr. Jitender added.
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Status of Red Corner Notices in Phone Tapping Case
Addressing questions about the Red Corner Notice (RCN) in the phone-tapping case, the DGP confirmed that the process has already been initiated by the police and is currently with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“These international processes take time. Having worked with the CBI, I understand that cases often take years due to numerous guidelines and practices involved,” the DGP explained. Interpol, which issues RCNs, follows strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to evaluate cases before taking action.
For context, a Red Corner Notice is an international request sent to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a fugitive, pending extradition or similar legal processes.
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Phone Tapping Case Developments
In August 2024, Hyderabad Police sought a Red Corner Notice against two key accused in the phone-tapping case, including T. Prabhakar Rao, the former chief of the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in Telangana. Both suspects are believed to be hiding in the United States.
The DGP also stated that four officials have been arrested in connection with the case since March 13. Among them are a suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from the SIB, two Additional Superintendents of Police, and a former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).
The accused are alleged to have erased intelligence data from electronic devices, with the phone tapping reportedly occurring during the previous BRS regime. Investigations into the matter remain ongoing.
