CCTNS : From FIRs to Analytics'

Context:

Fifteen years after its launch, the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) has successfully linked all 17,130 police stations across India. This centralized online platform facilitates the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs), chargesheets, and investigation reports. Accessible to law enforcement nationwide, it significantly enhances crime management and investigation efficiency.

About CCTNS

The CCTNS was conceptualized under the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2009 as part of India’s National e-Governance Plan with a ₹2,000 crore budget. Classified as a Mission Mode Project (MMP), it aims to:

• Enhance efficiency and transparency of police operations at the station level.
• Provide tools for investigation, data analytics, policymaking, and citizen-centric services.

Key Features of CCTNS:

1. Nationwide Integration:

   • Links all police stations across 28 states and 8 Union Territories.
   • Recently achieved 100% deployment, including remote areas like Manipur, Nagaland, and Lakshadweep.

2. Comprehensive Crime Database:

   • Maintains records of accused persons, habitual offenders, proclaimed offenders, and crime-related data, such as missing persons and stolen vehicles.

3. Analytical Tools:

   • Generates crime statistics and detailed reports for enhanced analysis at the station level.

4. Citizen Services:

   • Enables tracking of complaints, verification requests, and case updates, making police procedures more accessible.

5. Enhanced Integration:

   • Linked with the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS), connecting police data with courts, prisons, prosecution, forensic labs, and fingerprint databases.

Role in Implementing New Criminal Laws

CCTNS is pivotal in enforcing criminal law reforms introduced on July 1, 2024, which include:

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (replacing the Indian Penal Code, 1860).
• Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (replacing the Indian Evidence Act, 1872).
• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (replacing the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898).

Key Updates:

1. Crime Scene Management:

   • Mandatory videography and forensic evidence collection for cases punishable by over seven years.

2. Forensic Investigations:

   • Biological sample collection at the request of investigating officers.

3. Arrest Transparency:

   • Senior officer approval required for specific arrests.
   • Relatives of the arrested informed, with arrest details displayed publicly.

4. Victim-Centric Processes:

   • Victims updated on investigation progress within 90 days.

5. Digital Reporting:

   • Daily diaries sent to magistrates fortnightly.

About the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)

Established: 1986, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Headquarters: New Delhi.

Responsibilities:

• Acts as the central repository for crime and criminal data in India.
• Manages the Central Finger Print Bureau, maintaining the national fingerprint database.
• Publishes vital reports like Crime in India, Accidental Deaths & Suicides, and Prison Statistics.
• Provides technical support in Digital Forensics and Network Security.

This comprehensive digital transformation through CCTNS not only streamlines law enforcement processes but also promotes transparency, efficiency, and citizen engagement in India’s criminal justice system.