Do Not Panic — But Act Fast
Cybercrime investigations in Pune are handled by the Pune City Cyber Cell and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Cyber Police. If you have received a notice for questioning, an FIR has been registered against you, or you believe one is about to be filed, the next 72 hours are critical.
Hours 0–6: Immediate Steps
- Call a cyber law advocate immediately. Do not call the cyber cell back or respond to any notice without legal advice.
- Do not delete any data from your phone, computer, or any device. Deletion can be construed as destruction of evidence — a separate offence under BNSS.
- Screenshot and preserve every notice, email, or message received from police or the complainant.
- Do not post anything on social media about the case.
- Do not contact the complainant directly. Any communication can be used against you.
Hours 6–24: Consult Your Lawyer
In your consultation, your lawyer will:
- Review the notice or FIR and identify which sections of the IT Act 2000, BNS 2023, or other laws have been invoked
- Advise whether an anticipatory bail application is needed immediately
- Advise on whether and how to respond to the notice
- Identify what evidence you must preserve to help your defence
Common Cybercrime Charges in Pune
- Online fraud or cheating — S.318 BNS + S.66D IT Act (impersonation)
- Hacking or unauthorised access — S.66 IT Act
- Obscene content or morphed images — S.67/67A IT Act + S.292 BNS
- Cyberstalking or online harassment — S.77 BNS + S.354D IPC (transitional)
- Social media defamation — S.356 BNS (defamation); note: S.66A IT Act was struck down by the Supreme Court in Shreya Singhal and cannot be used
- Ransomware or data theft — S.66, 66B, 66C IT Act
- Investment fraud or trading app scams — S.318 BNS + SEBI regulations
Hours 24–72: Legal Action
- File anticipatory bail if arrest is imminent — cybercrime FIRs often carry non-bailable charges.
- Respond to the notice (if advised) — your lawyer drafts a legally safe written reply that does not amount to self-incrimination.
- Gather counter-evidence — transaction records, IP logs, device usage records, witnesses.
- Assess quashing prospects — if the FIR is false or motivated, a quashing petition may be the fastest resolution.
What NOT to Do
- Do not go to the cyber cell for questioning without a lawyer present
- Do not surrender devices without legal advice
- Do not share passwords or OTPs with anyone claiming to be from the police (common scam)
- Do not pay money to the complainant without a proper settlement agreement and quashing petition in place
- Do not ignore the notice — it will not go away
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ignore a notice from the Pune Cyber Cell?
No. Ignoring a police notice typically results in an arrest warrant being issued. You must respond — but only after consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer can draft a written reply that protects your rights while acknowledging the notice.
Will I definitely be arrested if an FIR is filed in a cybercrime case?
Not necessarily. Many cybercrime matters are resolved through anticipatory bail, notice response, or quashing. An FIR being registered does not mean arrest is inevitable — particularly if you act quickly with legal assistance. The key is not to wait.
How long does a cybercrime investigation in Pune usually take?
Investigations vary widely — from a few months for straightforward cases to several years for complex financial fraud matters. During the investigation period, your lawyer can work to resolve the matter through quashing, settlement, or demonstrating your innocence to investigators before a charge sheet is filed.
Advocate Akash Chikate is a cyber law advocate practising at Pune courts and Bombay High Court. If you have received a cybercrime notice, call or WhatsApp now — cyber law emergencies are handled on priority.