Cyber Crime Laws in India: IT Act 2000 Key Sections Explained
By Advocate Ganta Surya Kiran | 19 Law Chambers, Visakhapatnam | Cyber Crime
India’s primary law governing cyber crime is the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) along with relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (now Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023). Understanding which law covers which type of cyber crime helps victims take faster and more effective legal action.
Key Sections of IT Act 2000
Section 66 — Computer Related Offences: Dishonestly or fraudulently accessing a computer, downloading data, introducing virus, damaging computer systems. Punishment: imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to Rs 5 lakh.
Section 66B — Receiving Stolen Computer Resource: Knowingly receiving stolen computer data or devices. Punishment: imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to Rs 1 lakh.
Section 66C — Identity Theft: Fraudulently using another person’s electronic signature, password, or unique identification feature. Applies to OTP fraud, credential theft, account hacking. Punishment: imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to Rs 1 lakh. Read: UPI Fraud Complaint India.
Section 66D — Cheating by Impersonation Using Computer: Using computer resource to impersonate another person and cheat. Covers fake customer care calls, phishing, fake social media profiles. Punishment: imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to Rs 1 lakh.
Section 66E — Violation of Privacy: Capturing, publishing or transmitting intimate images without consent — including morphed photos and sextortion. Punishment: imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to Rs 2 lakh. Read: Women Safety Lawyers Visakhapatnam.
Section 67 — Publishing Obscene Content Online: Publishing sexually explicit material electronically. Punishment: first conviction up to 3 years, subsequent convictions up to 5 years.
Section 67A — Publishing Sexually Explicit Content: More serious form — involving sexually explicit acts. Punishment: up to 5 years imprisonment.
Section 72 — Breach of Confidentiality: Disclosing information accessed in official capacity without consent. Applies to data breaches by companies and service providers.
IPC/BNS Sections Also Applied in Cyber Crimes
Section 420 IPC (Cheating — up to 7 years), Section 384 (Extortion — sextortion cases), Section 354C (Voyeurism — 1 to 3 years), Section 354D (Stalking — 1 to 5 years), Section 500 (Defamation — 2 years).
How to Report Cyber Crime in India
Call 1930 immediately. Report at cybercrime.gov.in. File FIR at Cyber Crime Police Station Visakhapatnam. Full guide: Online Fraud Complaint India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Section 66A IT Act still valid? No — Section 66A (offensive online speech) was struck down by the Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) as unconstitutional for violating free speech. It is no longer in force.
Q: Can cyber crime accused get bail? Most IT Act offences are bailable. However for serious offences like Section 67A — bail conditions are stricter. Contact us immediately: Best Cyber Crime Lawyers in Vizag.
Q: What if the cyber criminal is in another state or country? Cyber crimes can be reported in any jurisdiction where the victim is located. For cross-border cyber crimes — Interpol coordination happens through the CBI Cyber Crime Unit. Report at cybercrime.gov.in. Free legal aid at NALSA — nalsa.gov.in.
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