In a major push to curb cybercrimes, the Odisha Police’s special drive, ‘Operation Cyber Kavach’, has entered its 10th day with intensified efforts across the state.
Under the direct supervision of district Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), the operation is being executed by district Cyber Crime Units, with coordination from the Cyber Crime Unit and CID Crime Branch.
The primary objective of the operation, as directed by Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, is to dismantle the financial backbone of cyber criminals by targeting mule (benami) bank accounts used for illicit transactions.
So far, a total of 3,625 mule bank accounts have been scrutinised statewide. This has led to the registration of 275 cases related to mule accounts, 8 cases involving check lifting, and 7 cases concerning fake SIM Point of Sale (PoS) verifications. In the process, 187 accused individuals have been arrested, while legal notices have been issued to 1,075 suspected facilitators and account holders, including those linked to new cases and 84 old First Information Reports (FIRs).
District-wise highlights include:
– Jagatsinghpur Police probed 20 benami accounts and registered 1 cyber case.
– Jajpur Police examined 44 accounts, filed 4 cases, and issued notices to 47 individuals.
– Kendrapara Police checked 88 accounts, lodged 5 cases, and notified 67 people.
– Khordha Police scrutinised 98 accounts, registered 6 cases, and issued notices to 2 persons.
– Puri Police investigated 71 benami accounts, filing 4 mule-related cases and 1 check lifting case, arresting 6 accused, and notifying 15 others.
Similar actions, including account verifications, case registrations, arrests, and notices, have been carried out in other districts such as Balangir, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Rourkela, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, UPD Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Gajapati, Ganjam, Angul, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nuapada, Rayagada, Cuttack, Nayagarh, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Boudh, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Deogarh, and Dhenkanal.
The Odisha Police reiterated its commitment to safeguarding residents’ digital transactions and building a cybercrime-free state. DGP Khurania stated that the operation will be further strengthened in the coming days to ensure robust protection against online fraud.
