LAW578:CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL

JURISPRUDENCE

Unit: II

Dr Navpreet Kaur
 Modern Crimes

 Modern crimes in India, like in many other

countries, encompass a wide range of activities that
have emerged due to technological advancements,
changes in social dynamics, and economic factors.
1) Cybercrime
2) Financial Frauds
3) Social Media Misuse
4) Crimes Against Women
5) Environmental Crimes
6) Terrorism and Extremism
7) Drug Trafficking
8) White-Collar Crimes
9) Human Trafficking
10) Child Abuse and Exploitation
 Cybercrime: With the increasing use of the internet and
digital technology, cybercrimes have become a major
concern. These include hacking, online fraud, identity
theft, phishing, online harassment, and spreading
malware.
 Financial Frauds: Scams related to financial
transactions, investments, and Ponzi schemes have
been on the rise. These frauds often target
unsuspecting individuals looking for quick financial
gains.
 Social Media Misuse: Misuse of social media
platforms for spreading fake news, hate speech, and
incitement to violence has been a growing concern. It
can lead to social unrest and conflicts.
 Crimes Against Women: Gender-based crimes such
as sexual harassment, cyberbullying, stalking, and
domestic violence continue to be significant issues in
India. The country has seen a greater awareness and
activism around women's safety and rights.
 Environmental Crimes: Illegal activities like wildlife
trafficking, illegal mining, and pollution violations
have been damaging India's environment and natural
resources.
 Terrorism and Extremism: Acts of terrorism and
extremism have affected various parts of the country.
These include organized attacks, bombings, and acts
of violence aimed at destabilizing the nation.
 Drug Trafficking: The illegal trade and consumption of
drugs have been a persistent issue. India serves as
both a transit and destination country for drug
trafficking.
 White-Collar Crimes: Corporate fraud, embezzlement,
money laundering, and bribery are among the white-
collar crimes that have economic and social
implications.
 Human Trafficking: India has faced challenges
related to human trafficking, including trafficking for
forced labor, sexual exploitation, and child labor.
 Child Abuse and Exploitation: Cases of child
abuse, child labour, and online exploitation of minors
have been concerning issues that require attention.
 Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015):
 This case dealt with Section 66A of the Information
Technology Act, which criminalized online
communication that was deemed offensive or
causing annoyance.
 The Supreme Court of India struck down this
section, stating that it violated the freedom of
speech and expression guaranteed by the
Constitution.
 Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017):
 Commonly referred to as the "Right to Privacy"
case, this landmark judgment recognized the right
to privacy as a fundamental right under the Indian
Constitution.
 While not directly related to a specific modern
crime, this case has implications for cases
involving privacy violations.
 Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India
(2018):
 In this case, the Supreme Court decriminalized
consensual homosexual acts between adults by
reading down Section 377 of the Indian Penal
Code, which criminalized "unnatural offenses."
 Nirbhaya Gang Rape Case (2012):
 The gang rape and murder of a young woman in
Delhi led to nationwide outrage and sparked
discussions about women's safety and sexual
violence.
 The case resulted in amendments to laws
related to sexual offenses and the establishment
of fast-track courts for such cases.