Goa Government Establishes Dedicated Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (G4C)
In a significant move to bolster digital security, the state government of Goa officially inaugurated the Goa Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (G4C) on Thursday. This new initiative is designed to ensure effective coordination, thorough analysis, and swift response to the growing menace of cybercrime across the entire state. The establishment of G4C marks a proactive step in addressing the complexities of digital offenses and protecting citizens from online fraud and cyber threats.
Core Functions and Operational Framework of G4C
The G4C will play a pivotal role in monitoring the investigation of all cybercrime cases, including complaints received through various online platforms as well as traditional offline reports registered at local police stations. This comprehensive approach ensures that no cyber incident goes unaddressed, regardless of how it is reported. The centre will provide essential technical, analytical, and operational support to ongoing cybercrime investigations, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.
Furthermore, G4C is tasked with strengthening cybercrime prevention through widespread awareness campaigns, specialized training programs, and capacity-building initiatives for both police personnel and the general public. A key function of the centre will be to facilitate the freezing, reversal, and restoration of defrauded money to victims, wherever legally permissible, offering much-needed relief to those affected by financial cybercrimes. Additionally, G4C will serve as the nodal interface, coordinating with national and international cybercrime coordination mechanisms to ensure seamless cooperation in tackling cross-border digital crimes.
Leadership and Organizational Structure
The G4C will be headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Crime), who will function as the nodal officer and exercise overall supervision and control over the centre's operations. The Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) will act as the operational in-charge, ensuring day-to-day management and execution of G4C's mandates. This hierarchical structure is designed to provide clear leadership and accountability in the fight against cybercrime.
Manthan Manoj Naik, Under Secretary of the Home Department, emphasized that the state cyber crime police station and district cyber units will function in close coordination with G4C. He clarified, "Registration of FIRs shall continue with the cyber crime police station and district police stations, while G4C shall provide monitoring, technical, analytical, training, and coordination support." This collaborative approach ensures that existing law enforcement infrastructure is leveraged while G4C enhances overall capabilities.
Reporting, Review, and Jurisdiction
To maintain transparency and accountability, G4C will submit monthly operational and analytical reports directly to the Director General of Police (DGP). The functioning of the centre may be reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Home Secretary, ensuring continuous assessment and improvement of its strategies. G4C will have jurisdiction over all of Goa, functioning as the central nodal coordination, monitoring, and response centre for all cybercrime-related activities within the state.
National Context and Supreme Court Directives
The establishment of G4C aligns with broader national efforts to combat cybercrime. The Supreme Court, in a suo motu writ petition (criminal), directed state governments and union territories to ensure the establishment and operation of regional or state cyber crime coordination centres (R4C/S4Cs). In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) as the national framework for a coordinated response to cybercrime. The ministry has issued advisories to states and union territories, urging them to strengthen state-level cyber crime coordination, enhance monitoring of cyber crime complaints, and facilitate inter-state and international cooperation. Goa's launch of G4C is a direct implementation of these directives, positioning the state at the forefront of cybercrime mitigation in India.
