The state is set to get its first police station to deal exclusively with cyber crimes.

To be housed in the police headquarters in the state capital, the proposed police station would track cases involving the use of Internet and information technology for terror activities and fraudulent banking transactions.

According to a letter issued by the additional secretary of home (police) department, Amresh Kumar Sinha, on May 18, 2012, six posts have been created for the state’s first-ever cyber crime police station, which would function under the supervision of an officer in the rank of a deputy superintendent of police and the entire state would come under its jurisdiction. It would function under various provisions of Information Technology (Amendment) Act-2008 (Central Act 21 of 2000).

The finance department has cleared the police headquarters’ proposal for the creation of six posts — three of sub-inspectors, two of constables and a driver (in the rank of a constable).

Sinha has informed the accountant-general’s office about creation of the posts, which would put an additional burden of Rs 30.65 lakh a year on the state exchequer.

The finance department has also cleared the proposal for purchase of two MUVs and five motorcycles for the policemen posted at the cyber crime police station. The vehicles would be purchased at an estimated cost of Rs 18.5 lakh. Sources said the police station would also launch its own website to receive complaints and people’s feedback.

The proposal for setting up the exclusive cyber crime police station was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Nitish Kumar on April 10.

“After getting clearance of the finance department, the police headquarters will start the process of filling up the posts,” a home department official on condition of anonymity. All online banking transaction scams, misuse of ATMs and crimes categorised under information technology would be dealt with at the police station. “Cases related to cyber crimes would be cracked in the shortest time and would take the burden off the local police,” a source said.

“At present, there is a cyber crime cell under the criminal investigation department to deal with the complaints of cyber crime. But the cell is not empowered to register any case on its own,” a police officer posted at the headquarters said. The cyber crime cell functions from one room of the Advance Training School, which is located beside Bailey Road.

“The cell only provides assistance to the district police personnel in the investigation of cases of cyber fraud. It does not register any case on its own for investigation,” said a police officer associated with the cell.

There is a separate cyber crime unit in Patna, which has registered around 36 cases of cyber crime since its inception in May 2010. Most cases were related to fraudulent withdrawal of money through ATM kiosks, misuse of credit cards for shopping and purchasing e-tickets, booking hotels and misuse of Internet for money transactions.