Bengaluru, October 5, 2026: Karnataka Police have decided that all cybercrime cases in the state will be investigated by 43 specialised cybercrime police stations, as authorities seek to improve a detection rate that remains low despite a sharp rise in online offences.
Under an order issued by Karnataka police chief Dr M A Saleem, local police stations will continue to receive cybercrime complaints and register FIRs. Once an FIR is registered, however, the case must be transferred immediately to the appropriate specialised cybercrime police station for investigation.
The decision follows directions from the Karnataka High Court, which highlighted the need for specialised investigation as conventional police stations are already burdened with regular policing responsibilities.
According to 2023 National Crime Records Bureau data, cybercrimes account for around 32% of total crimes in Karnataka, while the detection rate stands at only 18%. Bengaluru accounted for 17,631 of Karnataka’s 21,889 registered cybercrime cases that year.
The problem has continued to expand. Karnataka recorded around 52,000 cybercrime cases in 2024, up sharply from 21,889 in 2023.
Specialised investigation is considered important because cybercrime cases frequently require rapid preservation of digital evidence, examination of electronic devices and coordination with banks, payment companies, telecom operators and social-media platforms. Quick action can also be crucial in freezing suspicious transactions before stolen money is moved elsewhere.
Karnataka has additionally established a Cyber Command Centre, headed by a DGP-rank officer, as part of efforts to strengthen coordination and investigation of digital crimes.
The High Court has stressed the importance of bringing cybercrime investigations under a coordinated system as online offences become increasingly sophisticated and difficult to trace.
Under the new arrangement, district Superintendents of Police and city Police Commissioners will supervise cybercrime investigations in their respective jurisdictions.
The move represents a significant restructuring of Karnataka’s response to cybercrime, with authorities hoping that specialised investigators, stronger digital-forensics capabilities and improved coordination will help increase detection rates and provide faster assistance to victims.
