Srinagar Jan 2024 :
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has implemented the “Procedure for Investigation to be Followed by Officer in Charge of Police Station Rules, 2025,” in accordance with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
Officers are now required to maintain a Daily Diary Report documenting offenses and instances where investigations are deemed unnecessary. These records will be uploaded to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS) and submitted to the Magistrate fortnight
Officers must inform complainants promptly about decisions not to initiate investigations. This communication can be through electronic or physical means, ensuring transparency and accountability in the investigative process.
These measures aim to enhance the efficiency and transparency of police investigations in Jammu and Kashmir, aligning with the broader objectives of the BNSS to modernize and streamline criminal procedures across India.
The BNSS, which came into effect on July 1, 2024, replaces the Criminal Procedure Code of 1973. It introduces specific timelines for various aspects of investigation and trial to ensure speedy justice. For instance, First Information Reports (FIRs) are to be recorded within three days for complaints submitted electronically, and medical examination reports of rape victims must be forwarded within seven days to the investigating officer.
In addition to procedural changes, the BNSS mandates audio-video recording of searches and seizures to bring greater transparency during investigations. It also allows for the attachment of property deemed to be proceeds of crime, which can then be distributed among victims, providing pecuniary relief and creating a greater deterrent for crime.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has been proactive in implementing the provisions of the BNSS. In June 2024, it notified the Police Control Rooms (PCRs) and designated police officers under the BNSS. Police Control Room Jammu, Police Control Room Srinagar, and District Police Control Rooms were designated as the PCRs for the purposes of the BNSS. Additionally, Deputy Superintendents of Police (Headquarters) at the district level and the senior-most Assistant Sub-Inspectors in each police station were designated as the responsible officers for maintaining information about arrests and ensuring it is prominently displayed.
The introduction of these new rules and designations reflects a significant shift towards a more transparent, accountable, and efficient criminal justice system in Jammu and Kashmir, in line with the national reforms introduced by the BNSS.(CNS)