Delhi Police Makes IFSO an Independent Unit, Cyber Police Stations Set Up Across All 15 Districts
In a major overhaul of its cybercrime policing framework, the Delhi Police has officially made the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit an independent entity, separating it from the Special Cell. At the same time, dedicated cyber police stations have been established in all 15 districts of the national capital, a move aimed at strengthening the city’s response to the rapid rise in online fraud and digital crime.
IFSO Now a Standalone Cybercrime Intelligence Unit
Until now, IFSO functioned under the Special Cell, which primarily deals with counter-terrorism and organised crime. With the new administrative order, IFSO will now operate as a fully independent unit for both administrative and operational purposes.
All officers and staff posted in the unit will now report directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (IFSO), who will head the unit independently. Senior police officials have described the move as an administrative separation that allows cybercrime to receive dedicated focus, resources, and faster decision-making.
Cyber Police Stations Operational in All 15 Districts
Alongside IFSO’s elevation, the Delhi Police has completed the rollout of fully functional cyber police stations in every one of its 15 districts. Each district is now equipped with a dedicated cyber police station under the supervision of its District DCP.
This allows victims of online fraud to directly approach a district cyber police station for issues such as UPI and banking fraud, phishing, social media blackmail, fake investment schemes, impersonation scams, and online extortion.
- Routine cybercrime cases will now be handled at the district level.
- IFSO will act as the nodal unit for complex, high-value, and inter-state cyber offences.
- Investigation timelines are expected to reduce significantly.
What Is IFSO and Why It Matters
The Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit is Delhi Police’s premier cybercrime and cyber-intelligence wing. It evolved from earlier cyber policing initiatives such as CyPAD (Cyber Prevention, Awareness and Detection) and the National Cyber Forensic Laboratory (NCFL).
The unit handles a wide range of high-impact cases involving:
- Large-scale financial and banking frauds
- Online extortion and loan app scams
- Social media manipulation and hate campaigns
- Cybercrimes against women and children
- National security-linked digital investigations
Rising Cybercrime: The Key Driver Behind the Move
The restructuring comes amid an unprecedented surge in cybercrime across Delhi and the rest of India. Authorities report a steady rise in complaints related to fake investments, courier frauds, deepfake blackmail, customer care impersonation, and cryptocurrency scams.
In recent months, Delhi Police has carried out large-scale citywide crackdowns against cyber offenders, detaining hundreds of suspects and uncovering fraud trails running into hundreds of crores. The threshold for registering e-FIRs in cyber financial fraud cases has also been brought down from higher limits to make formal complaint registration easier for victims.
What This Means for Delhi’s Residents
Easier Access to Justice
With district-level cyber police stations now operational across the city, victims will no longer be forced to navigate multiple units just to register complaints.
Faster, More Specialised Investigations
Local cyber teams will handle routine frauds immediately, while IFSO will take charge of highly technical, multi-state and international cybercrime networks.
Better Technical Focus and Accountability
As a fully independent unit, IFSO can now focus exclusively on cyber intelligence, digital forensics, and emerging online threats without administrative overlap.
A Major Shift in Delhi’s Cyber Policing Infrastructure
With this restructuring, Delhi Police now operates on a two-tier cybercrime control model: a central specialist cyber intelligence unit (IFSO), supported by 15 district cyber police stations that provide localised, fast-response capability.
This structure reflects the reality that cybercrime has now become one of the fastest-growing crime categories in urban India, affecting individuals, businesses, financial institutions, and even government systems.
Conclusion
The decision to grant independent status to IFSO and establish cyber police stations across all 15 districts marks a decisive shift in Delhi Police’s strategy to combat digital crime. If supported with sustained training, manpower, and technological upgrades, this model has the potential to become a national benchmark for urban cyber policing in India.
