All police stations connected together

Why in the NEWS?

• All 17,130 police stations in the country have been linked to a centralised online platform.

Key Points

• Nearly 15 years after its launch, all 17,130 police stations in the country have been connected through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS).
• It is a centralised online platform for filing FIRs, charge sheets and investigation reports.
• The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems allows police across the country to file FIRs, charge sheets and investigation reports.
• The online database can be accessed by law enforcement officials across the country.
• In the last three months, about 40 police stations in Manipur, Nagaland, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Lakshadweep and Odisha have been connected to the system.
• Thus, 100% CCTNS deployment has been completed in 28 states and eight union territories of the country.
• "Police stations are registering 100% FIRs through CCTNS."

Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS)

• It was launched in 2009 with a budget of ₹2,000 crore.
• CCTNS has also become crucial for the implementation of three new criminal laws introduced on July 1.
• The system contains past and present crime records, including details of an accused, charge sheeted persons, convicts, habitual offenders, proclaimed offenders and others.
• The police can also search the database for missing persons, unidentified persons, unidentified bodies and stolen vehicles involved in crime incidents.
• The platform can generate analytical reports about criminal cases, property matters and crime statistics at the police station level.
• National Crime Records Bureau has made 23 functional amendments to the existing CCTNS application for three criminal laws-
• The Indian Judicial Code and the Indian Civil Defence Code which replace the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.
• These changes include, in some cases, before making an arrest,
  • Seeking permission from superiors;
  • Notifying relatives or friends, designated police officer of arrest and displaying arrest notice;
  • Service of Summons;
  • Provision for sending daily diary report to the Magistrate on fortnightly basis;
  • Forensic investigation in all cases punishable with imprisonment for more than seven years;
  • Mandatory videography and forensic evidence collection of crime scene;
  • Biological samples to be collected at the request of any police officer;
  • Police to inform the victim about the progress of investigation within 90 days;
  • And new deadlines etc. are included under the new laws.