Kolkata Police Launches Dedicated Cybercrime Branch with Seven Specialized Units
In a significant move to combat the escalating threat of digital crime, the Kolkata Police has officially expanded its cyber cell into a full-fledged cybercrime branch. Based at Lalbazar headquarters, this new branch will operate under the detective department and feature seven distinct specialized units, each led by a separate officer-in-charge with specific responsibilities aimed at preventing and preempting cyber offenses.
Official Approval and Implementation Timeline
The green signal for this expansion came from Nabanna, with the governor's approval reaching Lalbazar on Thursday. This development is particularly timely as Kolkata recorded a staggering 30,540 cases of cyber fraud between 2024 and 2025, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced digital law enforcement capabilities.
An official detailed the procedural timeline: "The cyber cell will now be established as a cyber crime branch under the detective department. The initial proposal was submitted by Kolkata Police on August 22 last year, followed by a subsequent communication on November 27 seeking administrative approval." The order received concurrence from the finance department on December 29, 2023, and final approval from the state cabinet on February 5, 2024.
Structure of the Seven Specialized Units
The newly formed Cyber Crime Branch (CCB) will comprise seven comprehensive wings, each focusing on a critical aspect of digital crime prevention and investigation:
- Main Cyber Crime Police Station: The central hub for all cybercrime reporting and initial response.
- Organized Cyber Crime Section: Dedicated to tackling sophisticated, large-scale cybercriminal networks.
- Cyber Security and Cyber Safety Section: Focused on preventive measures and public awareness campaigns.
- Cyber Fraud Recovery Section: Specializing in tracing and recovering funds lost to online fraud.
- Cyber Forensics Laboratory: Equipped for detailed digital evidence analysis and forensic investigations.
- Cyber Crime Coordination and Support Section: Facilitating inter-agency collaboration and resource management.
- Social Media Monitoring Cell: Monitoring online platforms for criminal activities and threats.
Resource Allocation and Technological Support
Kolkata Police has outlined that manpower for the new branch will be arranged from existing personnel within the detective department, while infrastructure development will utilize current Kolkata Police resources. For advanced technological requirements, the department plans to procure necessary software and hardware through the Nirbhaya Fund under the Kolkata Police modernization scheme, ensuring the branch has cutting-edge tools to combat digital crime effectively.
Addressing Current Challenges and Future Plans
Police officials stated that these developments were strategically planned in response to contemporary demands. Despite extensive efforts, many citizens continue to lose substantial amounts—often crores of rupees—to cyber fraud. Recovery processes remain slow, particularly when funds are intercepted at bank gateways before reaching fraudsters. Additionally, there have been complaints about inadequate coordination between interstate agencies, which this new structure aims to improve.
The initiative to expand the cyber cell was originally proposed by former Kolkata Police commissioner Manoj Verma. Current commissioner Supratim Sarkar has placed tackling cybercrime at the top of his priority list. A second phase of the proposal, which involves creating two new positions—Joint CP Cyber and Joint CP Legal—is currently pending approval.
Sources emphasized that splitting the cyber cell into smaller, task-specific units represents a crucial reform. Police are also establishing a specialized cyber blocking cell designed to swiftly block SIM cards, social media handles, websites, and other online resources used to perpetrate fraud, thereby disrupting criminal operations more efficiently.
