Digitising India’s Criminal Justice System

Context

Digitisation is transforming India’s Criminal Justice System (CJS) by shifting it from a paper-heavy, siloed framework into an integrated, transparent, and speedy digital ecosystem. The convergence of investigation and judicial processes is designed to drastically shorten pendency periods and eliminate coordination problems between the police, courts, prisons and forensic laboratories.

Core Digital Initiatives

• Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS): A national platform with the NCRB Administration which brings together police (CCTNS), e-Courts, e-Prisons, e-Prosecution and e-Forensics.
• One Data, One Entry: All relevant stakeholders access the data in the central MeghRaj cloud platform, without any manual redundancies.
• New Legal Framework: Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) digital recording of investigations is now mandatory and this enables digital summons, Sakshya (evidence) IDs, and digital case diaries.

Benefits of Digitisation

• Real-time Data Sharing: Less time in generating physical records and for unnecessary adjournments.
• Improved Transparency: Digital log of cases minimizes evidence tampering and manipulation of affidavits, and enables citizens to track legal proceedings on-line.
• Language Inclusion: Bhashini tools/ platforms enable that FIRs can be lodged in different police circles without any language barriers, which helps to make the Zero FIRs more smooth.
• Scientific Investigations: Direct connections to e-Forensics databases provide a secure chain of custody and assist in prosecutions based on science and evidence.

Challenges in Implementation

• Inadequate State implementation: Digital FIRs are not being sent to courts in sufficient numbers and only 46% to 70% of digital parameters are implemented in all states.
• Infrastructure Deficits: A lack of high-speed internet, uninterrupted power, and modern hardware in rural police stations and lower courts hinders grassroots digitisation.
• Data Security & Privacy: Centralization of highly sensitive criminal and trial information opens the door to a variety of cyberattacks, data breaches, and misuse if adequate personal data protection measures are not in place.
• Capacity Building: Resistance to change and a lack of technical expertise among police personnel, prosecutors, and judges often slow down e-governance adoption.

Way Forward

• Robust Legal Regulations: Adopting clear and legal data governance and cybersecurity policies to tightly control digital evidence.
• Digital Literacy & Capacity: Frequent and hands-on capacity building for judicial officers, police and forensic experts in the field of cyber-forensics and the management of electronic evidence.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: Improving the grassroots connectivity and offering regular technical assistance to ensure smooth interoperability between police stations and courts.
• Independent Oversight: Establishing audit processes which can monitor adherence to digital timeframes, including the 60-day or 90-day chargesheet requirements in the BNSS. 

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the major initiatives undertaken by the Government of India for the digitisation of the criminal justice system. Examine their significance in ensuring speedy, transparent and efficient delivery of justice.

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