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Section 66D: Punishment for Cheating by Personation by using Computer Resource

Information Technology Act • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Bailable
Cognizable
Judicial Magistrate First Class
Act 2000
Section 66C All 90 Sections of Information Technology Act Section 66E

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 66D

Section 66D of the Information Technology Act criminalizes cheating by personation using any computer resource or communication device, prescribing imprisonment up to three years and fine up to one lakh rupees.

  • Core Legal Standard: Section 66D of the IT Act penalizes cheating by personation through computer resources, prescribing imprisonment up to three years and fine for fraudulent online deception.
  • Digital Infrastructure Jurisdiction: Whoever, by means of any computer resource or communication device, cheats by personation, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.

This statutory framework establishes clear operational guidelines, balancing legal compliance with procedural safeguards.

Key Landmark Precedents:
  • P.R. Transport Agency v. Bharat Petroleum Corpn. Ltd. (AIR 2006 All 23): The High Court recognized the legal enforceability and jurisdictional boundaries of transactions conducted through digital communications, affirming that electronic misrepresentation attracts both civil consequences and penal scrutiny under the IT Act.
Legal Commentary:

Section 66D is universally charged in cyber financial frauds, matrimonial portal impersonations, job scams, and digital arrest frauds where perpetrators deceive victims by posing as police, customs officials, or corporate executives.

Section 66C All 90 Sections of Information Technology Act Section 66E