E-crimes up, but women reluctant to file complaints

There has been a spurt in cyber crimes against women in the city, but the police say the victims are reluctant to file a FIR. This makes it difficult to investigate cases of profile defacing or stalking.

At a function to inaugurate the Cyber Safety Week 2010, Commissioner of Police Meeran Borwankar said most victims were "highly-educated" and "professionals".

The number of cyber crimes registered by young girls is increasing everyday. "We can not share the details of the case nor are the cases registered," Borwankar lamented. "Everyday on an average at least two women come and meet me. They are reluctant to register cases but want us to take action against the suspect. We are finding it difficult to address such cases."

Borwankar said the police had combined two teams for speedy action in such cases. "We have now formed a new team by combining officers from the Cyber Crime Cell and Women Assistance Cell (WAC) to counsel such girls and to take action against the suspect," Borwankar said. "The victim is asked to write an application to the WAC after which the police start preliminary investigations."

The suspect is identified and warned. After six months, the case is reviewed. If the victim is still vulnerable, then further action is initiated."I have observed that young girls and women from Pune are forward looking. While interacting with the girls, the boys pretend to be broad-minded. They then induce the girls to share obscene pictures and other information," Borwankar said.