Cyber cell to get joint CPs after spate of e-frauds
Times of India | 9 March 2025
Kolkata: Despite an all-out attempt from police, several citizens are losing crores after falling prey to cybercrimes. In cases where the money is stopped at various bank gateways before reaching the fraudsters, the recovery process is taking time. There are also complaints that interstate agencies are not coordinating. To ensure that the blocked money is returned to the victims quickly, Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Verma on Saturday indicated that two new positions — Joint CP Cyber and Joint CP Legal — will be proposed. He said he was hopeful that this proposal might be approved in the upcoming cabinet meeting.
Verma, however, said splitting the cyber cell into smaller units with specific tasks was a crucial reform required. "Given the increasing number of cybercrimes, dividing the cyber wing is essential. The cyber cell will thus be split into smaller cells. In addition to the existing DC Cyber, a Joint CP Cyber position is being established. We hope this will significantly help in fighting cybercrime in an organised manner," said Verma.
Earlier, during a recent departmental meeting, the commissioner insisted that "blocked funds must be returned to victims quickly and without obstacles". Back at the detective department, sources stated that Lalbazar's cyber police station is being expanded into six branches — Organised Cyber Crime Branch, Cyber Security and Safety Branch, Cyber Fraud Recovery Branch, Cyber Forensic Lab, and Cyber Crime Coordination and Support Branch.
Lalbazar has stated that these six branches will work under the chief of detectives of Kolkata Police. It has been mentioned that the cyber police station will have seven inspectors, along with 10 officers and 25 constables. The Organised Cyber Crime Branch will have six inspectors and 25 officers. They will primarily form a Special Operation Group to identify and prevent cybercrimes. The remaining branches will be headed by one or two inspectors each.
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