Tamil Nadu Police Launches App for Mandatory Audio-Visual Evidence Collection

Quick Summary

• e-Sakshaya App Rollout: A new mobile request, e-Sakshaya, developed by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, will aid police officers in collecting audio-visual evidence and uploading secure geo-tagged and time-stamped evidence packets using blockchain technology.

• Features & Functions: The app generates immutable SID packets with hash verification to ensure the chain of custody and admissibility of evidence.It includes functions like capturing audio/video proof, generating certificates as required under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (2023), and linking data to case records for court access through the ICJS portal.

• Implementation by SCRB: State Crime Records Bureau is managing implementation.All police officers involved in investigations-head constables to inspectors-have been trained on its usage.

• Offline Provisions for Unforeseen Issues: In cases where e-Sakshaya cannot be used due to connectivity issues, manual audiovisual recording will be supplemented with specific certifications issued according to Tamil Nadu Criminal Procedure Rules.

• Integration With ICJS System: Evidence collected via e-Sakshaya links directly into india’s Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS),which integrates policing,courts,prisons,forensic labs,and prosecutions for streamlined justice delivery.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The rollout of e-Sakshaya marks a notable advancement in leveraging technology within India’s criminal investigation process. by integrating blockchain into evidence collection workflows, this initiative enhances data integrity and addresses longstanding concerns over tampering or mishandling during investigations-a critical step toward improving transparency in law enforcement practices. Training provided across various ranks ensures broad adaptability among personnel while decentralized offline mechanisms address challenges posed by erratic connectivity gaps across regions.

India’s shift toward digital solutions like ICJS reflects broader efforts aimed at modernizing public institutions through interconnected systems that bridge dialog gaps between departments such as police forces and judiciary bodies. Though, effective implementation will require consistent monitoring for technical troubleshooting along with uniform adoption rates nationwide. If properly institutionalized over time without disparities between states or districts in outcomes, tools like e-Sakshaya could contribute immensely to India’s trust-building measures concerning justice management processes.

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