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Pulling up the Uttar Pradesh Police for lacking 'sufficient institutional preparedness' to curb cybercrimes across the State, the Allahabad High Court observed that "prima facie it appears that the approach (of the state police) is cursory and marked by adhocism."

The bench of Justice Ajay Bhanot called for a proactive approach and said that "the pervasive and fast-evolving nature of cybercrime requires the State Police as an institution to think ahead, plan conceptual responses, and execute a well-thought-out strategic response."

Accordingly, court directed the state Director-General of Police to file an affidavit disclosing whether the State Police has a research department to monitor constantly evolving cybercrimes.

Court also asked the DGP to reply as to whether there is a program for evaluation of officers' professional competency for investigating the cyber-related crimes and to give the details of study programs and structured courses organized for the investigation officers as well as the State police officers to deal with this menace.

DGP has also been asked to disclose whether the concerned officers and other stakeholders like public prosecutors and Additional Government Advocates get any training to collect evidence as per requirements of the Information Technology Act and other laws.

Importantly, Court directed the DGP to provide details of the Technical institutions/organizations from where expert technical opinion is taken for furtherance of investigation or production in court in cases pertaining to cybercrimes. 

This development has taken place after the DGP, in compliance of court's earlier order of January this year, filed an affidavit containing details of the steps taken by the UP Police to upgrade its training and other endeavours to curb cybercrimes. 

Perusing the same, court found that the affidavit was not satisfactory and it reflected the insufficient institutional preparedness on part of the U.P. Police to give adequate response to challenge of cyber-related crimes and to curb them. 

Therefore, expressing faith in UP DGP's caliber, court asked him to file another affidavit on the abovementioned specific points.

Case Title: Shabbu v. State Of U.P. And 2 Others