In a significant development, cyber police in Pathanamthitta have arrested a 23-year-old man accused of illegally accessing highly sensitive data. This information, including live locations and call data records, is meant exclusively for law enforcement and telecommunication agencies.
The suspect, identified as Joel V. Jose from Adoor, is alleged to have utilized various online tools to acquire the real-time locations and call histories of multiple individuals.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), since February 2025, Jose intentionally used his mobile phone, laptop, and internet connection to bypass computer security protocols. His objective was financial gain, achieved by hacking computer systems and websites to collect this private data, which he then reportedly sold or shared for profit.
Authorities have confiscated Joel’s devices, including his mobile phone and laptop, for a thorough forensic examination. Officials emphasized that access to Call Data Records (CDRs) and live location data is strictly regulated and legally permissible only for police and authorized telecom operators.
The case has been filed under key sections of the Information Technology Act, specifically Section 43 (related to damage to computer systems), Section 66 (for computer-related offenses), and Section 72 (concerning the disclosure of confidential information). Police are currently interrogating the accused to uncover his methods and identify the precise systems or websites he compromised to obtain these sensitive details.