New Delhi, Dec 24 - Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday emphasised the need for technology integration within India's criminal justice system, particularly advocating for automatic alert systems to streamline investigation processes. Chairing a high-level review meeting with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Shah detailed the implementation of three new criminal laws aimed at expediting investigations and enhancing victim services.
Shah stressed the importance of establishing alerts at predefined stages from the registration of cases to their final disposal. "Alerts to investigation officers and senior officers as per predefined timelines will help expedite the process of investigation," he stated, underlining the potential for such systems to improve transparency and timeliness for both victims and complainants.
The review meeting gathered senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the NCRB to evaluate the integration of advanced technologies across the criminal justice system, including the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) 2.0 and the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS). Shah called for the comprehensive adoption of innovative applications such as eSakshya, Nyaya Shruti, eSign, and eSummons across all states and Union Territories.
During the discussions, Shah highlighted the need for regular monitoring of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) and the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) 2.0. These systems are set to create seamless interaction between various components of the judicial process, including investigation, prosecution, and forensics. "Each district should have more than one forensic mobile van," he pointed out, stressing the importance of improving forensic capabilities to support thorough investigations.
Shah’s approach marks a shift toward making the criminal justice system more data-driven and technology-savvy. "The NCRB should create a data-rich platform to benefit the investigation officers and other stakeholders of the Criminal Justice System," he added, recognizing the evidential benefits of enhanced data accessibility and intelligence sharing.
During the review, Shah also urged the state governments to conduct frequent progress reviews, with Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami receiving specific directions to implement the laws expeditiously. He described the new laws as "protectors of civil rights" and the foundation for the "ease of justice". Shah called for continuous monitoring of complaints and the overall incarceration process across police stations and jails.
The meeting underscored the Indian government’s commitment to modernising its judicial framework with technology at the forefront. Shah's directives included ensuring timely reviews of certain provisions, particularly for regions with higher incidences of First Information Reports (FIRs). This, he believes, is key to addressing systemic delays and inefficiencies.
“The new laws are becoming protectors of civil rights and the basis of ease of justice,” Shah reiterated, casting the technological integration as fundamental to preserving the rights and expectations of citizens within the judicial framework.
To bolster local adoption, Shah directed NCRB teams to visit various states and provide on-ground assistance to enforce the integration of new technological tools. He urged officials to "increase the adoption rates of technological solutions and resolve local implementation challenges," ensuring every corner of India's vast judicial system is well-equipped and ready for the changes.
This meeting is part of Shah's broader initiative to modernize the criminal justice system, which he believes is not only necessary for operational efficiency but also for building public trust. Consistent communication and regular dialogues with state police formations have been highlighted as imperative for the successful rollout of these initiatives.
Overall, the introduction of these technologies is expected to significantly reduce case handling delays and establish norms for more accountable policing. Shah's vision positions India’s criminal justice system on the brink of transformation, punctuated by efficiency, transparency, and improved access to justice for all citizens.
