The Karnataka High Court has called for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe serious allegations of data theft and cyber espionage involving a company that supplies drones to India’s defence forces. The case was brought to light by Newspace Research and Technologies, a key manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, after reviewing the situation, emphasized that the gravity of the alleged offences — involving military technology and national defence — requires a higher level of expertise than what was offered by the current police investigation. Describing the ongoing probe as ineffective, the judge highlighted the need for specialized skills to handle such sophisticated cybercrimes, stating that “ordinary investigation would amount to miscarriage of justice.”
A three-member SIT has been formed, led by Karnataka’s Director General of Police, Pranab Mohanty, with officers Bhushan Gulab Rao Borase and Nisha James. The team has been instructed to submit their findings within three months.
The case centers on claims by Newspace Research that several former employees illegally accessed sensitive data, including UAV designs and codes, allegedly to benefit a rival company and secure government contracts. Despite a police complaint, the investigation has stalled, with instances of procedural failures, including the improper handling of suspects.
The Court expressed concern over the ongoing issues with cybercrime investigations, particularly the inability of local law enforcement to effectively address these high-tech crimes. It cited a troubling statistic: the conviction rate in cybercrime cases stands at a mere 9%, not due to a lack of guilt but because investigators are ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of such cases.
In response, the Court directed the Karnataka government to ensure that its cyber command centers are fully operational, with appropriate staffing, to tackle the growing threat of cybercrimes in the state.
This marks a critical juncture in the fight against cyber espionage, especially when it concerns sensitive national security data.
