The Kolkata Police has been receiving recognition for its dedication and commitment to the citizens of the City of Joy. Most recently, Inspector Shukla Sinha Ray of Lalbazar Cyber Police Station was named the joint winner, along with an officer from Telangana, as the country’s top cyber cop.
The award was jointly organised by the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) and NASSCOM in Gurugram. The Cyber Security Conference took place from December 19-21, 2023. Inspector Shukla Sinha Ray was declared co-winner of India’s Top Cyber Cop, surpassing stiff competition from police departments across the country.
Shukla Sinha Ray was honoured for her investigation into a fake call centre case flagged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after a US citizen committed suicide after losing money to fraudsters. Renowned for her professionalism and diligence, she exemplifies dedication and capability in uniform.
Shukla Sinha Ray was born into a family of a distinguished police officer. She joined the police force after successfully clearing the examination. A member of the 2004 batch, she served in various roles including Traffic Training School (TTS), Special Branch (SB), Shyampukur Police Station, and New Market Police Stations. In 2018, she transitioned to the Cyber Police Station in Lalbazar. Reflecting on her experience, she noted, “When I joined the Cyber Department, complaints about cybercrime were minimal. Until 2019, most cases involved WhatsApp and other social media platforms, where culprits used victims’ photos for sextortion or with malicious intent. However, the COVID era brought significant changes. With the rise of Work from Home (WFH), users’ digital engagement skyrocketed, leading to a paradigm shift in cybercrime worldwide.”
Rapid digitisation has provided an avenue for scammers and fraudsters to enter the cybercrime domain. Undoubtedly, this domain is more prevalent than traditional crime throughout India today.
The Cyber Police Station in Lalbazar has set a high standard for swift and efficient investigations, thanks to diligent police officers like Inspector Shukla Sinha Ray. She explains, “The process of conviction and prosecution differs in cybercrime. Electronic evidence often plays a decisive role. Moreover, with social media and other platforms whose servers are located outside India, international coordination is crucial, though time-consuming. Fortunately, in the Call Centre case flagged by the FBI, the coordination was seamless, with witnesses and individuals joining online from different time zones. We are fortunate to have such a fantastic team of officers in Kolkata Police, well-versed in digital aspects. Kolkata Police has undoubtedly set a benchmark in cyber policing.”
Deciphering cybercrime poses significant challenges. In 2019, the Cyber Police Station in Lalbazar faced a unique case: a victim received a threatening message on WhatsApp containing her nude photo from an unknown number, demanding Rs 10 Lakhs to prevent its online dissemination. With minimal clues beyond the number, Inspector Shukla Sinha Ray recounts, “We initiated our investigation from scratch. WhatsApp’s delayed response hindered progress. The victim clarified that she had not sent the photo to her boyfriend, ruling out his involvement. After meticulous investigation, we apprehended the culprit in Bihar.”
Inspector Shukla Sinha Ray’s exceptional contributions earned her the Indian Cyber Cop award, making her the first woman to receive this honour. Hopefully, her achievement will inspire more women to join the uniformed services, ensuring the safety and security of citizens.
We extend our best wishes to Shukla Sinha Ray for her future endeavours as a dedicated member of the Kolkata Police Force.
HEROES AMONGST US Inspector Shukla Sinha Ray: The Cyber Cop of India
