Concerning Cyber Crime, Section ................ provides for the adjudication of disputes for awarding compensation.

The correct answer is - 46

Key Points

• Section 46 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 provides for the adjudication of disputes in cases of cyber crime.
• It authorizes adjudicating officers to handle cases where the claim for compensation does not exceed a specified monetary threshold.
• The section empowers the adjudicating officer to:
  • Conduct inquiries into alleged violations of the Act.
  • Award compensation to the affected parties for any damage or loss incurred due to cyber crimes.
• This provision ensures that victims of cyber crimes have a legal mechanism to seek justice and compensation for their losses.

Additional Information

• Adjudicating Officer
  • Section 46 specifies that the Central Government will appoint an officer not below the rank of a Director to the Government of India as the adjudicating officer.
  • The officer has the power to:
    • Summon individuals.
    • Examine witnesses under oath.
    • Demand the production of documents.
• Cyber Crime and Compensation
  • Cyber crimes such as identity theft, phishing, and data breaches often result in financial loss or reputational damage.
  • Section 46 ensures victims can claim compensation for such damages.
• Monetary Threshold
  • Adjudicating officers can only handle cases where the claim amount does not exceed ₹5 crore.
  • Claims exceeding this limit are referred to civil courts.
• Other Relevant Sections
  • Section 43: Deals with penalties for unauthorized access or damage to computer systems.
  • Section 66: Covers criminal offenses related to computer systems.
  • Both sections often work in conjunction with Section 46 to address cyber crimes comprehensively.