Allahabad HC Rules Creating Email ID in Another's Name Not Identity Theft
· India · Times of India, Indian Express
The Allahabad HC has stayed an FIR against two individuals accused of creating an email ID in another person's name to send fake complaints. The bench, comprising Justice Abdul Moin and Justice Pramod Kumar Srivastava, observed that Section 66-C of the Information Technology Act specifically covers electronic signatures, passwords, or unique identification features, but does not explicitly mention email IDs. The petitioners were initially charged at the Aaspur Devsara police station in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, under Section 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal defamation and Section 66-C of the IT Act. The court concluded that, prima facie, the creation of an email ID does not constitute identity theft under the current legal framework.
Why it matters
This ruling clarifies the legal scope of identity theft under the IT Act, potentially limiting the application of Section 66-C in cases involving email impersonation.
Read the original report — Times of India
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.