IT Act, 2000
Legal Provisions Against Cybercrime
The Information Technology Act, 2000 is India's primary legislation governing cybercrimes. Key provisions applicable to digital arrest fraud include:
- Section 66C — Punishment for identity theft (fraudulent use of another person's electronic signature, password, or unique identification): imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to ₹1 lakh
- Section 66D — Punishment for cheating by personation using a computer resource (relevant when scammers impersonate CBI/police officials): imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to ₹1 lakh
- Section 43 — Penalty for unauthorised access and damage to computer systems
These provisions are applied alongside Indian Penal Code (IPC) / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 419 (cheating by personation) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property).
- IT Act, 2000 amended significantly by the IT (Amendment) Act, 2008 — added Sections 66A to 66F, 67A-67C
- Section 66D offences are cognisable but bailable; critics argue penalties are insufficient for organised cyber fraud
- The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) is the nodal ministry for IT Act implementation
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) and helpline 1930 are the civilian-facing mechanisms
● Tracked since February 10, 2026 · last seen April 20, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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