New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has called on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to expedite the rollout of the SAHYOG portal to address procedural delays in cybercrime investigations. The portal, aimed at improving coordination between law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and IT intermediaries, has seen limited adoption so far, with only 16 states and nine intermediaries participating.
Concerns Over Delayed Data Access
During a recent hearing, the court flagged significant delays in accessing crucial data from IT platforms due to the mandatory requirement for First Information Reports (FIRs) before disclosure. Law enforcement agencies reported that this requirement has prolonged investigations, with response times often stretching from 15 days to a month.
The court also highlighted challenges posed by cybercriminals increasingly using proxy servers and virtual private networks (VPNs). Additionally, international cybercrime cases often involve Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) requests, which add further delays to investigations.
Status of SAHYOG Portal Expansion
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) updated the court on the portal’s progress. ACP Jitender Singh stated that the first phase, focusing on addressing unlawful content, is nearly operational. Officers from all states and union territories are expected to be onboarded within a month. However, the court noted that full integration is far from complete, as major platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn have not yet joined.
Standard Operating Procedures Handbook in the Works
The Delhi Police is finalizing a standard operating procedures (SOP) handbook to streamline data request processes for criminal investigations. The handbook will address key issues such as data retention policies, emergency access protocols, and timelines for responding to cases involving online fraud, terrorism, and other cybercrimes.
Court’s Directive to IT Intermediaries
The court has directed IT intermediaries to address the concerns raised by Delhi Police and provide their responses by January 10, 2025. This move aims to enhance collaboration between intermediaries and LEAs, paving the way for more efficient and timely handling of cybercrime cases.
The High Court’s intervention underscores the need for urgent action to address procedural bottlenecks and improve the framework for tackling cybercrime in India.
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