Rajasthan Police Lowers e-Zero FIR Threshold to ₹1 Lakh

The Rajasthan Police has reduced the threshold for automatic registration of e-Zero First Information Reports (FIRs) in cyber financial fraud cases from ₹5 lakh to ₹1 lakh. This move aims to enable quicker legal intervention and improve the recovery of defrauded money.

The decision follows guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and comes amid a rise in cyber financial crimes. According to Additional Director General (Cyber Crime) V.K. Singh, the system is intended to facilitate the immediate initiation of legal proceedings, expedite the freezing of fraudulently transferred funds, and strengthen the investigation process.

Previously, Rajasthan provided automatic e-FIR registration only in cases involving cyber fraud of ₹5 lakh or more. With the threshold now reduced to ₹1 lakh, a larger number of complainants will be covered under the system. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and the Cyber Helpline (1930) have been integrated with the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS).

Complaints of cyber financial fraud involving ₹1 lakh or more will now automatically generate an e-Zero FIR at the designated cyber police station. The registration of an e-Zero FIR allows investigators to immediately initiate legal measures, including freezing bank accounts and collecting digital evidence.

The complainant will be required to visit the concerned police station within 72 hours to sign the printed copy of the FIR. If the complainant does not appear within the stipulated period, the police will issue a notice, though the preliminary investigation and other legal proceedings will continue.

The guidelines also specify the jurisdiction for investigation based on the amount involved. Cases involving fraud of ₹1 crore or more will be investigated by the State Cyber Crime Police Station in Jaipur, while cases involving amounts between ₹1 lakh and ₹1 crore will be handled by the district cyber police station or the local police station as directed by the Superintendent of Police or the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

This move is expected to improve the efficiency of cyber policing in Rajasthan and provide faster relief to victims of cyber financial fraud. The integration of technology in policing is a step towards a more efficient and effective system.

The Rajasthan Police has been working towards improving its cyber crime investigation capabilities, and this move is a significant step in that direction. With the rise in cyber financial crimes, it is essential for the police to have a robust system in place to deal with such cases.

The e-Zero FIR system is a technology-driven initiative that aims to make the process of filing a complaint and initiating an investigation more efficient. The system is expected to reduce the time taken to register an FIR and initiate an investigation, thereby providing faster relief to victims of cyber financial fraud.

In conclusion, the reduction of the threshold for automatic registration of e-Zero FIRs in cyber financial fraud cases is a significant move by the Rajasthan Police. It is expected to improve the efficiency of cyber policing and provide faster relief to victims of cyber financial fraud.

The move is also expected to have a positive impact on the overall cyber crime scenario in Rajasthan, as it will enable the police to take quicker action against cyber criminals and reduce the risk of fraud.

Overall, the Rajasthan Police's decision to lower the threshold for automatic registration of e-Zero FIRs is a step in the right direction, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the state's cyber crime scenario.