Hyderabad|India|March'2011: Government of India enacted Information Technology (IT) Act 2000. As per Section 46 sub section 5 of this act, Cyber Appellate Tribunal has been established under the IT Act under the Aegis of Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA). A Cyber Appellate Tribunal consists of one Presiding Officer who is qualified to be a Judge of a High Court or is or has been a member of the Indian Legal Service and is holding or has held a post in Grade I of that Service for at least three years supported by other official under him/her.

The Cyber Appellate Tribunal has, for the purposes of discharging its functions under the IT Act, the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. However, is not bound by the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 but is guided by the principles of natural justice and, subject to the other provisions of this Act and of any rules. The Cyber Appellate Tribunal has powers to regulate its own procedure including the place at which it has its sittings. Justice Rajesh Tandon is current chairperson for the Cyber Appellate Tribenal supported by Registrar Mr. R.K. Uppal, at New Delhi.

Every State should have Adjudicating Officer and shall have the powers of the civil court and that all the proceedings before the adjudicating officer shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings within the meaning of section 193 and 228 of the Indian Penal Code. Government of India has decided that IT Secretaries of the state governments will function as Adjudicating Officer for holding an enquiry in their respective states and their jurisdiction shall extend to the entire state.

The Adjudicating Officers will be responsible for conducting field enquires in Cyber Crimes or in cyber offences registered under the Information Technology Act, 2000. Accordingly a Gazette notification was issued by GoI. As decided by GoI the Adjudicating Officer for state of Andhra Pradesh will be the Principal Secretary to Government, IT&C Department.

The theme of Cyber Crime may involve Phishing, Cyber Frauds, Malware, Denial of service, Cyber espionage, Identity theft, Data theft, Mobile device attacks, Financial crimes, Social engineering, Cyber terrorism, Spam etc. Public who are effected with Cyber crime may lodge a complaint with the Adjusting Officer for holding an enquiry.

Now The Chairperson, Cyber Appellate Tribunal decided to connect all the adjudicating authorities with Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi by way of “Video Conferencing System” for day to day official proceedings. For this purpose they have provided Video conference end point to the O/o Adjusting Officer.
Shri R.K. Uppal, Registrar, Cyber Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi has personally delivered the Video Conference equipment to Smt. K. Ratna Prabha, IAS, Prl. Secretary, IT&C Department,AP Secretariat, who is the Adjudicating Officer for Andhra Pradesh State. Andhra Pradesh is the first State to receive such equipment from Cyber Appellate Tribunal. IT&C Dept proposes to conduct one day workshop on cyber crimes shortly involving judiciary and Home dept personnel dealing with cyber crimes .

All citizens can approach State Cyber Appellate Tribunal for the Cyber grievances under the above categories mentioned. The contact details are as given below :

Prl Secy IT&C Dept, Room No: 431,D-Block, 3rd floor, AP Secretariat, Hyderabad-500022. Phone 040 23456401 Fax No: 040 23450103. e-mail id : prlsecy_itc@ap.gov.in Mr D Venkatachalam, SSA IT&C Dept is the Presiding officer and contact details are : Room No: 437, D-Block, 3rd floor, AP Secretariat, Hyderabad-500022. Phone 040 23450043 Fax No: 040 23450103. e-mail id : jtdir_infra_itc@ap.gov.in