Karnataka High Court sets up SIT to probe drone firm case

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has constituted a special investigation team (SIT) comprising three senior IPS officers to probe an alleged case of data theft by ex-employees of a drone manufacturing company. 

“The subject crime has the colour of cyber espionage. It is a multi-layered crime involving nuances of defence technology and concerns of national defence. Investigations into such crimes demand not merely procedural competence, but an amalgamation of technical expertise and forensic acumen," Justice M Nagaprasanna said. 

Continuing, the court noted that "conventional investigating officers, who are trained for the crimes of yesterday, would undoubtedly find themselves ill-equipped to grapple with cyber crimes". It termed this "a lamentable reality". 

"Investigation of crimes of such magnitude cannot be done by the investigating officer who is now appointed due to a lack of technical expertise. I have no manner of doubt that an ordinary investigation would amount to miscarriage of justice,” the court said. 

The SIT will be headed by DGP Pranab Mohanty and two other IPS officers - Bhushan Gulab Rao Borase and Nisha James.

The petitioner company Newspace Research Technologies Private Limited, Bengaluru, claims to have a huge clientele comprising national security stakeholders such as the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, BEL, HAL and DRDO.

In its complaint filed with the CEN police Yelahanka, the company stated that its former employees had stolen the data, know-how and started their own company, compromising the security of the nation. The petitioner prayed for the constitution of a SIT as such cybercrimes have grown in numbers and there are no technical experts to investigate such crimes.

After perusing the material, Justice Nagaprasanna observed that alleged stolen information pertains to cutting edge UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), which is popularly known as drone.

The court further expressed surprise that the arrest of accused no. 1, Prabhat Sharma, former vice president of the petitioner company, was only a ‘paper arrest’.

Constitute cyber command centres like CCB

The court has also suggested that the state government should endeavour to give life to the cyber command centres or constitute a separate wing like the CCB, which could be a cyber crime investigation bureau.

“If a cyber command centre is established to combat cyber crimes and strengthen cyber security, it would usher a new beginning of tackling the new age crime with new- age investigating centres," he said.