TDSAT Seminar Calls for Greater Awareness of Adjudicating Officers for Cybercrime Victims

Goa: A seminar organized by the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) in Arpora, North Goa, on September 28, 2024, emphasized the need for increased public awareness about the availability of Adjudicating Officers (AOs) in every state for cybercrime victims. Despite the rising number of cybercrime complaints lodged with the police, many victims remain unaware that they can approach AOs for compensation claims, with jurisdiction over damages up to Rs 5 crore.

The seminar, held at Hotel Double Tree by Hilton, was inaugurated by Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay. In his inaugural address, Justice Upadhyaya underlined the crucial role of tribunals in India’s legal system, especially in sectors like telecom, broadcasting, and cyber. He highlighted that the involvement of subject experts alongside judicial members enhances the dispute resolution process within specialized sectors.

Justice Navin Chawla, Judge of the Delhi High Court and special guest at the event, spoke about his experience with TDSAT, emphasizing the tribunal’s evolution and its increasing relevance in handling complex disputes. Justice D.N. Patel, Chairperson of TDSAT, elaborated on the wide jurisdiction of the tribunal, covering sectors such as telecom, broadcasting, cyber law, airport tariffs, Aadhaar, and personal data protection.

The seminar featured a business session moderated by Senior Advocate Meet Malhotra, where subject experts and legal professionals addressed key topics, including “Dispute Resolution under Cyber Law” and “TDSAT’s Role in Ensuring Fair Practices and Quality Service in Broadcasting.” Advocates Kunal Tandon, Payal Kakra, Vibhav Srivastava, and Tejveer Singh Bhatia were among the speakers who stressed the need for outreach activities to educate the public about the legal remedies available through AOs.

Advocate Kunal Tandon urged for more efforts to inform the public about the option of seeking civil remedies for cyber offenses through AOs, while Advocate Malhotra suggested convening a national conference of all AOs under the IT Act to raise awareness among officials and victims alike.

Justice D.N. Patel proposed that any FIR registered at a cyber police station for cybercrimes should be reported to the state’s IT Secretary, who also serves as the Adjudicating Officer under the IT Act. This, he suggested, would streamline the process for considering civil remedies for cybercrime complainants.