Punishment for Tampering with computer source documents and Computer related offences

Computer-related offenses carry heavy punishments ranging from a fine to life imprisonment depending on the nature of actions. These may involve acts such as a person having unauthorized access to data, altering data, deleting data, or interfering with confidentiality, Like any other Country, in India Computer source documents and computer-related offenses are serious. Information Technology Act 2000 Section 65 and Section 66 provides punishment for such crime.

Punishment for Tampering with computer source documents –

According to Section 65 of the Information Technology Act 2000, whoever knowingly or intentionally conceals, destroys or alters or intentionally or knowingly causes another to conceal, destroy, or alter any computer source code used for a computer, computer program, computer system, or computer network when the computer source code is required to be kept or maintained by law for the time being in force, shall be punishable with imprisonment up to three years, or with fine which may extend up to two lakh rupees, or with both.

Explanation – For the purposes of this section, “computer source code” means the listing of programmes, computer commands, design and layout and program analysis of computer resources in any form.

Punishment for Computer-related offenses.–

As per Section 66 of the said Act, If any person, dishonestly or fraudulently, does any act referred to in Section 43, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees or with both.

Explanation – For the purposes of this section,–

(a) the word “dishonestly” shall have the meaning assigned to it in section 24 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860);

(b) the word “fraudulently” shall have the meaning assigned to it in section 25 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

Conclusion -

Tampering with computer source documents, or tampering with data, is a serious offence that can have serious consequences. IT Act 2000 provides punishment for this type of crime.

Punishment for Tampering with computer source documents and Computer related offences