DigitalPolicing – Chhattisgarh Plans Major Reforms After Weak NCRB Technology Assessment

DigitalPolicing –Chhattisgarh’s digital policing system has come under renewed focus after the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) evaluation highlighted shortcomings in the state’s implementation of technology-based law enforcement. The assessment, conducted under the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) performance index, awarded Chhattisgarh 64.97 out of 100, placing it behind several states that have made stronger progress in digitising police operations and criminal justice processes.

Review Highlights Performance Gaps

According to the NCRB assessment, Chhattisgarh trailed top-performing states including Uttarakhand, Haryana, Assam, Sikkim and neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, all of which secured significantly higher scores through wider adoption of digital investigation tools and integrated crime management systems. The findings prompted the state administration to review the effectiveness of its existing digital policing framework and identify areas requiring immediate attention.

Recognising the need for corrective measures, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel chaired a high-level meeting at the state secretariat. Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam, Home Secretary Niharika Barik Singh and Principal Secretary (Law) Sushma Sawant were among the senior officials who participated in the discussions aimed at strengthening the state’s technology-driven policing model.

Key Digital Modules Yet to Be Fully Implemented

During the review, officials found that several essential CCTNS features have not been fully adopted across police stations. These include facilities such as Zero FIR registration, electronic charge sheets and digital evidence management systems. Authorities also noted delays in filing charge sheets within the legally prescribed period of 60 to 90 days, an issue that can affect the pace of criminal investigations and court proceedings.

Another concern raised during the meeting was the incomplete rollout of the proposed “Nyaya Shruti” video-conferencing platform, which is intended to facilitate witness testimony through virtual hearings. Officials observed that delays in implementing this system continue to limit efforts to improve judicial efficiency and reduce procedural delays.

Strengths Unable to Offset Core Weaknesses

The review acknowledged that Chhattisgarh performed well in certain areas, particularly administrative reforms and the Medico-Legal Report Portal, where it secured full marks. However, these achievements were not sufficient to compensate for weaker performance in core policing functions related to crime tracking, investigation management and digital integration.

Officials concluded that improvements in frontline policing technology would be necessary to achieve better results in future national assessments and to ensure smoother coordination between law enforcement agencies and the judicial system.

Government Announces Technology Upgrade

In response to the findings, the Chhattisgarh government has initiated a comprehensive plan to modernise its digital policing infrastructure. The initiative is also intended to support the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which places greater emphasis on technology-enabled criminal justice administration.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma, along with Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, led another high-level review focused on removing operational hurdles and accelerating the adoption of digital platforms across departments. The meeting discussed measures to strengthen coordination between police, forensic experts, medical institutions and courts through integrated digital systems.

Focus on Faster and Transparent Justice

Officials emphasised the need for complete implementation of important digital services, including e-FIR, e-Challan and e-Sakshya for electronic evidence management. The government also plans to improve integration with the MedLEaPR medico-legal portal and e-Forensic systems to enhance the quality and speed of investigations.

In addition, authorities reviewed proposals to strengthen real-time connectivity between the Court Information System (CIS), the e-Prisons platform and the Nyaya Shruti virtual court system. The objective is to simplify information sharing, reduce procedural delays and create a more transparent, technology-enabled criminal justice process across the state.