Patna: Bihar is preparing a major change in the way cybercrime cases are investigated, as online fraud and digital offences continue to rise across the state. The state government is planning to allow sub-inspector rank police officers to investigate cybercrime cases, a responsibility that currently lies only with inspectors. The move is aimed at reducing delays in investigations and ensuring that victims of cyber fraud get quicker relief. A proposal has already been sent to the central government, and the new system will come into force once approval is granted and the Information Technology Act is amended.
At present, cybercrime investigations are handled only by officers of inspector rank or above. This has placed heavy pressure on a small group of officers, as the number of cases has increased sharply over the years. Bihar has around 1,200 to 1,300 inspectors, but the workload is far greater than what they can reasonably manage. In contrast, the state has nearly 12,000 to 13,000 sub-inspector rank officers. If sub-inspectors are given investigation powers, the number of officers handling cybercrime cases will rise many times over, making it easier to deal with complaints quickly and more effectively.
The scale of cybercrime in Bihar highlights the urgency of this reform. Last year, the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal helpline responded to nearly 27.96 lakh calls from across the state. During the same period, about 1.17 lakh online complaints related to cyber fraud were registered. These included more than 15,000 complaints linked to social media abuse and other digital crimes. In 2025 alone, 6,319 cybercrime cases were formally registered at cyber police stations, and 1,050 cybercriminals were arrested. Despite these efforts, many investigations take a long time to conclude.
Director General of Police Vinay Kumar explained that cybercrime investigations are complex and time-consuming. They involve technical work such as data analysis, coordination with banks, and tracking digital transactions. In many cases, the accused operate from other states, and stolen money is transferred or withdrawn from different locations. This means officers often have to travel outside the state, which further delays investigations. According to the DGP, an inspector is usually able to complete only six to eight cybercrime cases in a year under the current system.
To strengthen the response, the police department has already posted officers with IT and computer backgrounds in cyber police stations across all districts. The state government also plans to increase manpower in these units in the near future. Officials believe that allowing sub-inspectors to investigate cybercrime cases will not only reduce the burden on inspectors but also help Bihar respond more effectively to the fast-growing threat of online crime.
