Government to withdraw cyber law cases, detainees to be released

The government has announced its decision to swiftly withdraw all cases related to "speech offences" under the Cyber Law, with detainees in these cases set to be released immediately through legal procedures.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs today (30 September), as of August 2024, a total of 5,818 cases have been filed under the Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006, the Digital Security Act, 2018, and the Cyber Security Act, 2023, across eight cyber tribunals in the country.

"Among these cases, those related to the expression of free speech on digital platforms have been classified as 'speech offences,' while crimes involving computer hacking or fraud using digital devices are categorised as 'computer offences'," reads the notification.

Currently, 1,340 cases related to speech offences are ongoing. Out of these, 461 cases are under investigation, and 879 are being tried in the cyber tribunals. Specifically, 279 cases are filed under the ICT Act, 786 under the Digital Security Act, and 275 under the Cyber Security Act.

The government has now decided to expedite the withdrawal of all cases related to speech offences. The 879 cases currently under trial will be withdrawn in coordination with the Ministry of Law and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Meanwhile, investigating officers have been instructed to submit final reports and swiftly dispose of the 461 cases still under investigation.

Any detainees in these cases will be released immediately as part of this process.