Rajasthan HC's Cybercrime Crackdown: New Rules for SIM Cards, Gig Workers, and Digital Scams!

The Rajasthan High Court has issued a comprehensive set of directives aimed at bolstering the state's response to the escalating problem of cybercrime. Justice Ravi Chirania highlighted that the rapid pace of digital technology has created an 'unstoppable and exponentially growing problem' that current investigation systems struggle to keep up with. The court's orders encompass a significant restructuring of the digital policing infrastructure and introduce stringent regulations for various digital services and platform workers.

Cybercrime Control Overhaul

• A new Rajasthan Cyber Crime Control Centre (R4C) will be established, modelled after the Union Home Ministry's Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), to enhance detection and investigation capabilities.
• An automatic FIR system will be introduced via a new toll-free number by February 1, 2026, streamlining complaint registration and forwarding directly to cyber police stations.
• The State is directed to create a dedicated cadre of IT-specialist police officers with relevant cyber investigation skills to address a noted lack of technical expertise.
• A Section 79A IT Act-certified digital forensic laboratory is to become operational by February 1, 2026, capable of analysing digital devices and providing reports within 30 days.
• Quarterly coordination meetings will be held between Home, Police, banks, telecom operators, and ISPs to share information and track fraud patterns.

Strengthening Digital and Financial Security

• Banks and fintech companies must deploy AI tools like the RBI's “Mule Hunter” to monitor mule accounts and suspicious transfers. ATMs may use AI for detecting unusual card activity. Fresh KYC verification for dormant or high-risk accounts is mandated.
• SIM card regulations will be tightened, barring individuals from holding more than three SIM cards. Sellers of digital devices, both online and physical, must be registered, and device sales logged digitally from February 2026.
• Social media IDs are to be verified with Aadhaar or other identity documents to curb fake profiles, and call centres/BPOs must register and provide undertakings against unauthorized digital activity.

Gig Worker and Platform Regulations

• Companies like Ola, Uber, Zomato, and Swiggy must ensure all gig workers are registered, wear QR-coded uniforms, and undergo police verification before engagement. Individuals with criminal history are barred from being employed as gig workers.
• Taxi service platforms such as Ola and Uber are encouraged to increase their proportion of women drivers to 15% within six months, aiming for 25% in 2-3 years, and offer female passengers an option to choose women drivers.
• Delivery vehicles used by e-commerce and logistics companies must be properly registered and identifiable.

Online Content Regulation

• The Court has called for a registration and verification system for digital influencers and online content creators to address impersonation and fraud while protecting freedom of speech.

Impact

• These directives will impose significant compliance burdens and operational adjustments on technology platforms, financial institutions, and telecom operators in Rajasthan. The focus on enhanced verification, digital forensics, and AI integration aims to curb cybercrime, potentially increasing security for consumers but also raising costs for businesses. The emphasis on gig worker background checks and safety measures for women passengers indicates a broader trend towards stricter oversight of the platform economy.
• Impact Rating: 7/10

Difficult Terms Explained

• Digital arrest scam: A type of fraud where criminals impersonate law enforcement (like police) and falsely accuse someone of a crime, demanding money to avoid arrest or legal trouble, often using fake digital evidence or calls.
• Mule accounts: Bank accounts used by criminals to receive and transfer illegally obtained funds. They are often opened using stolen or fake identities and are quickly closed or abandoned after a few transactions.
• KYC (Know Your Customer): A mandatory process for financial institutions to verify the identity and address of their customers to prevent financial crimes like money laundering.
• Gig workers: Individuals who engage in temporary, flexible jobs, often on a project-by-project basis, typically facilitated by digital platforms (e.g., ride-sharing drivers, food delivery personnel).
• Digital forensic lab: A specialized laboratory equipped to examine digital devices (computers, phones, etc.) to recover data and analyse it as evidence for legal proceedings.
• Section 79A IT Act: A section of India's Information Technology Act, 2000, that empowers the government to appoint IT-related experts and establish/certify labs for digital forensic analysis.
• I4C (Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre): A government initiative that acts as a nodal centre for coordinating all aspects of cybercrime prevention, investigation, and prosecution across India.