CRIME & CRIMINAL TRACKING NETWORK SYSTEM
Overview of CCTNS:
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) is a centralized digital platform designed to modernize India’s police systems by integrating the country’s 17,130 police stations.
- CCTNS was conceived in 2008 by the then Home Minister, P. Chidambaram, in response to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, highlighting the need for enhanced coordination and information sharing within the police force.
- Approval and Funding: The project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in 2009, with a budget allocation of Rs. 2,000 crore.
OBJECTIVES
- To digitize and centralize police operations, enabling seamless sharing of information across the country.
- Improve the criminal justice delivery system by providing police authorities with real-time data, improving investigation processes, and streamlining case management.
MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT
- As of now, all 17,130 police stations in 28 states and 8 Union Territories have been successfully integrated into the CCTNS.
- The last batch of stations, including remote areas like Manipur, Nagaland, Bihar, Odisha, and Lakshadweep, have been connected in the past three months.
- 100% FIR Registration: All police stations now register 100% FIRs through the CCTNS platform.
- This ensures that every first information report is recorded digitally, making it easier for law enforcement to access and track cases.
- Impact: This is expected to reduce manual errors, improve data accuracy, and enhance accountability in police functioning.
KEY FEATURES
Nationwide Integration:
- Linking all Police Stations: The system connects police stations from remote areas to urban centers, ensuring consistent data reporting, investigation tracking, and information exchange nationwide.
- Access Across States and UTs: Police across 28 states and 8 union territories can access crime data, track investigations, and share critical information.
Citizen Services:
- Public Access to Information:
- Citizens can track complaints and case updates through the CCTNS platform, which improves public trust in law enforcement.
- Request for case verification and status updates of investigations.
Comprehensive Crime Database:
- Detailed Criminal Records: CCTNS maintains a vast database that includes:
- Details of accused persons and habitual offenders.
- Information about missing persons, unidentified bodies, and stolen vehicles.
- Charge sheets, conviction records, and proclaimed offenders.
- Crime Records Accessibility: Police can search and retrieve data related to ongoing cases, past convictions, and patterns of crime.
Integration with Other Justice Pillars:
- Linking with the Justice System: The platform is integrated with courts, prisons, forensic units, prosecution, and fingerprint databases. This holistic integration ensures smooth coordination between various branches of the criminal justice system.
Crime Analytics:
- Data Analysis and Reports: The system can generate detailed analytical reports at the police station level, offering insights into:
- Crime trends across different regions.
- Patterns in criminal activities such as theft, murder, and fraud.
- Property crime statistics and criminal case resolution rates.
- Predictive Policing: Helps identify high-crime areas and prioritize resources accordingly.
MODIFICATIONS FOR NEW CRIMINAL LAWS
On July 1, 2024, India introduced three new criminal laws, replacing the old colonial-era statutes:
- Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860).
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872).
- Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1898).
CCTNS Role in Implementing New Laws: The system has been modified to support the new laws and integrate their procedures into police operations.
WHAT DOES THE MODIFICATIONS INCLUDE?
Arrest Procedures:
- Senior Officer Approval: In cases involving serious offenses, police are required to obtain approval from a senior officer before making an arrest.
- Arrest Information Transparency: Information regarding arrests must be provided to:
- Relatives or friends of the arrested person.
- Designated police officers.
- Public display of arrest details, increasing transparency.
Forensic and Investigation Modifications:
- Mandatory Videography: For cases where the sentence exceeds seven years, there must be videography of the crime scene, which is now mandatory for forensic investigations.
- Biological Samples: Police officers can now collect biological samples (g., DNA samples) for forensic analysis during investigations, upon request.
- Forensic Evidence: Greater emphasis on forensic evidence collection, ensuring that crime scenes are properly documented.
Victim’s Rights and Monitoring:
- Victim Updates: The police are now required to inform victims about the progress of the investigation within 90 days. This ensures victim participation and accountability in the legal process.
- Daily Diaries: Police will send a fortnightly report (daily diary) to magistrates, detailing the progress of investigations and arrests.
Procedural Transparency:
- Summons and Notices: Enhanced procedures for summons delivery and the display of arrest information to maintain accountability and prevent abuse of power.
INTEGRATED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (ICJS)
- The Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) is a new system designed to link police data with other key components of the criminal justice system, such as:
- Courts: Connecting police data to court records for quicker adjudication.
- Prisons: Ensuring smooth data flow between police and prison systems.
- Forensics: Enhancing the use of forensic evidence in criminal investigations.
- Fingerprint Bureau: Linking CCTNS with the Central Fingerprint Bureau to provide quicker identification of criminals based on their biometric data.
- Benefits:
- Efficiency in Justice Delivery: Facilitates faster processing of cases.
- Coordination Across Agencies: Allows better coordination between the police, courts, and other agencies, reducing delays and ensuring smoother justice proceedings.
NATIONAL CRIME RECORDS BUREAU
Role of NCRB:
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), established in 1986, plays a vital role in maintaining national crime data and supporting police investigations.
- Key Functions:
- Data Collection & Analysis: Collects crime statistics from all states and publishes key reports like Crime in India, Accidental Deaths & Suicides, and Prison Statistics.
- Central Fingerprint Bureau: Manages the national database of fingerprints, helping identify suspects and criminals.
- Forensics Support: Provides digital forensics expertise to law enforcement agencies.
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