You’ve been harassed online.You’ve documented everything. You’ve done what everyone said to do. So you walk into a cyber cell.

And the first thing the officer asks is: “Why were your photos public?”

In Episode 3 of Beyond Consent, we go inside the real experience of reporting cybercrime to law enforcement inIndia. Through Kunal’s story, a composite based on multiple documented cases we explore what cyber cells actually do, why jurisdiction creates delays that feel like inaction, and why so many people leave feeling more confused than when they walked in.

This episode is not about blaming officers. It’s about replacing myths with clarity, so if you ever need to walkin, you know what you’re walking into.

Listen if you’ve wondered: what happens when I report cybercrime in India • what does a cyber cell actually do • why do cybercrime complaints take so long • how to prepare before filing a complaint • IT Act jurisdiction India • cybercrime reporting process IndiaWhat This Episode Covers

• What cyber cells are and what they are not

• Kunal’s composite story: fake profiles, workplace damage, and three visits to the cyber cell

• Why the question ‘why were your photos public?’ is both procedural and harmful

• How jurisdiction over platform servers creates real investigative limits

• Why evidence burden falls on the survivor, not the system

• Training gaps across state cyber cells and what that means for case outcomes

• The gap between lived harm and procedural logic, where survivor frustration grows

• What to do before, during, and after a cyber cell visit

Key Takeaways

• Cyber cells are part of the regular police system, not specialised tech agencies

• Jurisdiction depends on where the complainant, accused, and platform servers are, which creates genuine delays

• Inconsistent training across states means outcomes can vary significantly based on where you report

• Feeling dismissed is not evidence that your case isn’t serious it’s evidence of a system gap

• Preparation is the only leverage survivors have while structural change is still pending

Practical guide: Going to a Cyber Cell

Before you go:

• Organise all evidence chronologically, oldest to newest

• Write a one-page factual summary: what happened, when, where, which platform, who was involved

• Print your evidence, officers may need physical copies for their log

• Carry a government-issued ID (Aadhaar preferred)

• Note down all relevant URLs, profile links, and transaction IDs

While you’re there:

• Stick to facts, avoid speculation or emotional framing in your statement

• Always ask for a complaint number or diary entry before you leave

• If asked irrelevant questions, you can say: ‘I’m not sure how that’s relevant, can you help me understand?’

• You are not required to justify why you were online, what you posted, or who you spoke to

• If redirected to the online portal, file there AND in person, both create records

After:

• Follow up in writing to the cyber cell if there is an email address

• Keep copies of your complaint acknowledgement and all documents submitted

• Two weeks is a reasonable starting timeline for a follow-up

• If no response, escalate to your state’s cyber nodal officer, link in resources below

• Stepping back at any point, does not erase the harm or mean you failed

Resources

Reporting:

• National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: cybercrime.gov.in

• Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930 (24×7)

• State Cyber Cell Nodal Officers: cybercrime.gov.in/Webform/Crime_NodalGrivanceList.aspx

Legal guidance:

• NCORE Foundation (legal + psychological support): ncorefoundation.org

• Cyber Saathi (cyber law awareness): cybersaathi.org

• CCCBI (complaint drafting support): cccbi.in/services

• NALSA Legal Aid Helpline: 15100

Mental health support:

• iCALL (TISS): +91-9152987821 — Mon–Sat, 8am–10pm

• Vandrevala Foundation: 1860-266-2345 / 1800-233-3300 (24×7)

• AASRA: +91-22-27546669 (24×7)