In a recent development, the Gujarat Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has registered a non-cognizable (NC) complaint against two nodal officers of e-commerce giant Amazon India. The complaint alleges that these officers failed to share crucial information regarding pending cyber fraud cases. The CID has taken this action under sections 175 and 176 of the Indian Penal Code, which impose penalties on individuals who intentionally withhold documents or information from public servants despite being legally obligated to provide them.
The NC complaint was filed on January 17, and subsequently, the Cyber Crime Cell of the state CID sought permission from the court to initiate an investigation. The chief judicial magistrate in Gandhinagar granted permission on May 19, leading to notices being served to the two nodal officers, Ankur Sharma and Shubham Sharma, requesting their appearance before the CID.
According to the CID release, the Cyber Crime Cell has established a specialized coordination team to assist cyber fraud victims in recovering their funds and preventing fraudsters from making unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ bank accounts or wallets.
The release further highlights the persistent efforts made by Deputy Superintendent of Police BM Tank from the Cyber Crime Cell, who repeatedly requested Ankur Sharma and Shubham Sharma to furnish information regarding pending cases related to Amazon India reported under the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCCRP). Despite serving them notices under sections 91 and 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the nodal officers failed to respond and intentionally refrained from providing the requested information in a timely manner.
The CID release also mentions that the nodal officers refused to cooperate even after receiving a notice warning them that they would be booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Their non-cooperation hindered the CID’s ability to prevent fraudsters from accessing victims’ funds.
This case highlights the importance of cooperation between e-commerce platforms and law enforcement agencies in combating cyber fraud. With the increasing prevalence of online scams, it is crucial for companies like Amazon India to actively engage with authorities and promptly share information related to cybercrime investigations. Such collaboration will not only help bring the perpetrators to justice but also protect innocent victims from financial losses.
The outcome of the investigation will shed light on the actions taken by the nodal officers and determine whether any further legal actions or consequences are warranted. As the case progresses, it will be closely monitored to ensure that justice is served and steps are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.