Rajasthan High Court Grants 10-Day Extension for Cybercrime Infrastructure Affidavit
Jaipur: The Rajasthan High Court has granted the state government an additional 10 days to submit a comprehensive affidavit detailing its compliance with earlier directives aimed at bolstering cybercrime infrastructure across the state. This extension was ordered by Justice Ravi Chirania on February 23 during the hearing of bail applications for Khushi Mohammed and others.
Court Observes Evolving Nature of Cybercrime Threats
During the proceedings, the court made a critical observation about the expanding scope of cybercrime. It noted that such offenses are no longer confined to financial fraud alone. "It now includes organised crime, fake investment schemes, online blackmail, criminal activities through social media, data theft, and even threats to national security," the court stated. This evolving landscape necessitates a robust and technically advanced system at the state level to effectively combat these sophisticated threats.
Background and Previous Directives
The court referenced its earlier order from February 6, 2026, which had directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and other senior police officials to file a detailed affidavit. This affidavit was to outline the steps taken in compliance with a November 27, 2025 order issued in another bail matter concerning cyber crimes. However, by the February 23 hearing, the state government had not submitted the required affidavit.
Instead, the state filed an application seeking an extension of time, though it did not specify the exact duration needed. In this application, the government informed the court about several initiatives underway:
- Establishment of cyber police stations in Jodhpur Rural, Jaipur Rural, Kota Rural, and the Jodhpur and Jaipur Police Commissionerates.
- Creation of cyber divisions in Regional Forensic Science Laboratories under the Information Technology Act, 2000, located in Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Kota, and Jaipur.
- Approval granted to open cyber courts in all districts across Rajasthan.
The state also mentioned that funds had been allocated in the state budget for these initiatives but were yet to be received, indicating ongoing financial processes.
Court's Concerns and Final Ruling
The court expressed concern over the current state of cybercrime investigation in Rajasthan. It highlighted that investigating officers often lack adequate technical training and modern tools, which hampers their effectiveness. In many cases, FIRs are registered, but delays in preserving and analyzing digital evidence significantly weaken the prosecution's case, the court pointed out.
Despite the state's reported progress, the court noted that "much more needs to be done" to address these systemic issues. Consequently, Justice Chirania granted the state government a 10-day extension to file the detailed affidavit, emphasizing the urgency of strengthening cybercrime infrastructure to keep pace with the changing nature of offenses.
