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Cybercrime Surge and Online Hate Speech: The New Legal Battlefield in India By: Abhishek Jat, Advocate Date: 19 June 2025 India's rapid digital transformation has ushered in an era of unprecedented connectivity, revolutionizing communication, commerce, and social interaction. However, this digital expansion has been accompanied by a significant surge in cybercrime and a concerning rise in online hate speech. The digital landscape, once lauded for democratizing expression, has increasingly become a battleground for criminal activity, the spread of misinformation, and the exacerbation of communal tensions. Recent decisive actions by the Karnataka Police, including the registration of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against individuals for provocative online content, signify a critical shift in how Indian authorities are addressing digital offenses. This indicates that online hate speech is no longer merely a violation of platform policies but is now being treated as a seri...

  By Abhishek Jat, Advocate Understanding the RTI Act The Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) empowers Indian citizens to request information from any public authority, including the police. It is designed to promote transparency and accountability, allowing individuals to access records, documents, and details held by government bodies. This right is especially useful if you believe you have been falsely implicated in a criminal case, such as under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with allegations of cruelty by a husband or his relatives. Why File an RTI in a False 498A Case? False arrests under Section 498A can cause immense distress and legal complications. Filing an RTI application with the police-specifically, the Station House Officer (SHO) or the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned police station-can help you obtain: Copies of the FIR and related documents Details of the investigation process Evidence collected and statements recor...