Section 66C (IT ACT, 2000) – Identity theft

Information Technology Act, 2000

Section 66C – Identity theft (using someone’s password or digital signature)

🔹 Short Note (Hindi)

Section 66C un logon ke liye hai jo kisi aur ka password, OTP, digital signature, fingerprint ya identity details use karke fraud karte hain. Identity chori karna ya misuse karna is section ke under punishable offence hai.

🔹 Detailed Explanation (English + Hindi)

Section 66C IT Act identity theft aur impersonation ko cover karta hai. Agar koi person kisi aur ke digital identity tools ka use kare — chahe paisa kamane ke liye ho, fraud ke liye ho ya personal reason se — wo offence kehlaata hai.

Isme include hota hai:

• Password ka misuse
• OTP ka unauthorized use
• Digital signature ka fraud
• Aadhaar, PAN, banking credentials ka misuse
• Biometrics (fingerprint, face ID) ka unauthorized access

Yeh section user ki digital identity ko secure rakhne ke liye banaya gaya hai.

🔹 Main Conditions

Section 66C apply hota hai jab:

1. Kisi ke password ka istemal bina permission
2. Digital signature ka unauthorized use
3. OTP ya login credentials steal kiye jaye
4. Aadhaar, PAN, bank username/password misuse
5. Biometrics hack ya capture kiye jaye
6. Kisi aur ke naam se online fraud kiya jaye

🔹 Legal Meaning (Simple Terms)

“Kisi aur ki pehchaan, login details ya digital signature ka use karke unki jagah act karna — chahe paisa kamane, fraud, ya misuse ke liye ho — identity theft kehlaata hai aur Section 66C ke under punishable hai.”

🔹 Example

1. Kisi ne friend ka email password use karke mails bheje
2. Someone ne Aadhaar ya PAN details use kar ke loan apply kiya
3. OTP intercept karke bank account se paise nikaale gaye
4. Digital signatures fake karke agreement sign hua
5. Kisi ne forged login se social media account chalaaya

In sab cases me Section 66C lagu hota hai.

🔹 Key Legal Points

• Identity theft = impersonation + unauthorized use
• Password, OTP, biometrics, e-signature included
• Consent bina access karna offence hai
• Har identity misuse ke saath Section 66D bhi lag sakta hai (cheating)

🔹 Punishment:

✔ Jail up to 3 years
✔ Fine up to ₹1 lakh
✔ Ya dono

🔹 Nyay Neeti Advice

Agar:

• Kisi ne aapka account login kiya
• Bank ya UPI se unauthorized transaction hua
• Koi aapke naam se SIM, loan ya account khol raha hai
• Digital signature ya OTP misuse hua

To:

1. FIR file karein Section 66C ke under
2. Cyber Crime Portal ya Cyber Cell me complaint karein
3. Passwords aur linked accounts turant secure karein
4. Proofs (emails, SMS, logs, screenshots) save rakhein

Identity share karna ya “borrow” dena bhi legal risk laata hai.

🔹 Summary Table