Kerala Crime Branch to seek foreign help in Norka hacking case

Kerala Crime Branch is set to request assistance from law enforcement agencies in several foreign countries as part of its investigation into the 2019 hacking of the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (Norka) communication network. The state government has cleared the proposal to request legal support from the UK, Tunisia, Serbia and Saudi Arabia, reported PTI.

The investigation concerns the breach of Norka’s BSNL Single Voice over Internet Protocol (SIP) line at its Kakkanad office between 1 and 22 September 2019. The line was managed by a contracted company overseeing Norka’s international operations.

The breach came to light after BSNL raised a bill of ₹83.35 lakh for calls made through the SIP line during the period. Acting on a complaint from Norka, the Kochi Cyber Police registered a case, which was later handed over to the Crime Branch.

Investigators concluded that unidentified individuals had infiltrated the system and carried out several international calls using the compromised connection. In view of this, the Crime Branch decided to reach out to authorities in the mentioned countries.

The Home Department has now issued an order authorising the move. Under this directive, the State Police Chief may forward a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) request to the UK through the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Since India does not have Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties with Tunisia, Serbia or Saudi Arabia, officers will have to rely on Letters Rogatory (LRs) to obtain information from these nations.

The Inspector General of Police, heading the Crime Branch, who also serves as the State Interpol Liaison Officer, has been tasked with initiating the MLA and LR procedures following central guidelines.

Officials added that MLA requests must be channelled through the MHA, while LRs require court clearance. Once the court issues the LR, it is transmitted to the MHA, which then sends it to the appropriate authority abroad.

The investigation remains incomplete as the agency is awaiting crucial data from foreign jurisdictions. The case has been booked under Sections 43(a), 66 and 66C of the Information Technology Act.