CYBER CRIMES: ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

Abstract

India, today, is the seventh largest country with a total area of 3.287 million square kilometers and the second most populous country with a population of 1,21,05,69,573.Over the past few decades, the nation has grown considerably in size, population and infrastructure and this has simultaneously led to numerous challenges and difficulties in the realm of governance. The functioning and working of the country is guided by the principles enshrined in the Constitution which was adopted on 26th January 1950. With respect to governance in specific, Article 248 of the constitution deals with the apportionment of law making power between the centre and the state legislature by providing a separate list of subjects that can be governed by the Centre and State. Police, Public order, courts, prisons, reformatories, borstal and other allied institutions which play prominent role in executing the law have been placed in the State list. 

Among these subjects, “Police” is a highly important and sensitive institution and the superintendence over the police force is exercised by the State Government. They play a pivotal role in law enforcement and maintenance of law and order in the country. In recent times one of the most notable reasons of disturbed law and order has been cyber violence. The rapid growth in technology coupled with hike in usage of online means entwined with malicious intent of deploying such advancement for financial personal gains has led to a sharp increase in the number of cybercrimes that can take place in the online environment. Hence cyber safety is an arena of importance for the law enforcement agencies today.