Mumbai, Dec 1 (TNN): The city has recorded 346 cyber crime cases in the past four years, but conviction has remained zero till now.

According to the 2013 data, cyber crimes here jumped nearly 26%, recording 132 cases that year, while the previous year figure was 105. Compared to reported cases in 2010, the rise in 2013 was 169%, as only 49 incidents were reported that year.

Former director of the state forensic science laboratory Dr Rukmini Krishnamurthy said the news of the increase in cyber crimes should not be surprising. "At least two cases go unreported for every case that comes out. Most often, corporate cyber crime goes unreported as it involves clientele values and reputation. There is no proper set-up in forensic analyzing cyber offence." The chairperson of a firm that provides digital, cyber and other forensic services, Krishnamurthy said the growing dependence on technology made access to private data easier.

Blaming the low conviction rate on inadequate infrastructure, lack of training of cops and flawed probe, cyber expert Vijay Mukhi said the state needed to spend loads of money to nail criminals who have siphoned off money online. "We need state-of-the-art cyber forensic labs and the police have to be trained so that they know what evidence to collect and how. Public prosecutors have to be trained in the forensics of technology evidence and cyber law and finally, the judiciary must ensure that a case is taken to its logical end in less than a year as cyber evidence is easily corruptible," he said.

Cyber law expert Neeraj Aarora, an advocate in the Delhi high court and the Supreme Court, also seems to agree with Mukhi. "Most cases end up in acquittal as the traditional forensic methods are employed in the probe of cyber crimes," Aarora posted on his website. Experts feel many offenders take advantage of the loopholes of the law as the IT Act was last amended 14 years ago.

Mumbai police spokesperson DCP Dhananjay Kulkarni said the new government has asked for the details of infrastructure required to tackle cyber offences. "After reading TOI manifesto published on October 31, the CM talked to the Mumbai police 10 days ago about the need of advanced technology and skilled officers," said Kulkarni. JCP Sadanand Date has also held sessions with cops, state officials, legal advisors and IT experts to ascertain advanced methods in handling cyber crimes. "Selected officers are undergoing training and some seniors have been asked to attend lectures. Many officers have been asked to enrol for a course to learn about cyber law," Kulkarni said.

Cyber lawyer Vicky Shah pointed out that flaws in police probe was not the sole reason for the low conviction rate. "At times, people withdraw their complaints. Sometimes, a complaint is lodged so late that relevant information can no longer be found," said Shah, adding cyber cases under IPC are tried as per the criminal procedures and they are usually delayed. But, he said, the cyber appellate tribunal has been active. "Among incidents reported in the state since 2009, 55 are in the final stage of trial," he added.

Mukhi is not convinced by Shah. "We need a dedicated, trained cyber police force," Mukhi said. "They must be given latest mobiles as most crimes are committed through phones. There should be bilateral treaties with other countries to get IP address traced there."