The Bar Girl 'Tarannum' who has been alleged of her involvement in Cricket match-fixing and betting, was arrested last week along with two bookies, who all were booked under different sections including Section 66 of Information Technology Act on charges of destroying evidence as being unable to locate the Laptop, which was supposed to contain incriminating evidence.

Sec 66 states as under:

"Hacking with Computer System. - (1) Whoever with the intent of cause or knowing that is likely to cause wrongful loss or damage to the public or any person destroys or deletes or alters any information residing in a computer resource or diminishes its value or utility or affects it injuriously by any means, commits hacking.

(2) Whoever commits hacking shall be punished with imprisonment up to three years, or with fine which may extend up to two lakh rupees, or with both."

The basic purpose of section 66 was to punish hackers only, who make unauthorized entry into some online network or computer and as a result deletes, destroys or alter data i.e. 'Hacking' as we understand in normal terms.

Only Section 201 of Indian Penal Code should have been applied in such a case, as the culprits were suspected to have either destroyed the Laptop or the evidence contained in the Laptop but still section 66 has been applied, so that culprits can be arrested and be subjected to interrogation... as their confession can bring many famous personalities into light.... that's what I think.

In any case, the Police has acted unreasonably and with the help of Nasscom, have tried to make things complicated for the whole nation... and later Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr Kamlakar tried to justify application of this section.

Which in any case will be over-ruled by the court !