Context:
The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken a significant step forward in bolstering India’s capabilities against terrorism and organized crime. In New Delhi, they inaugurated a digital Criminal Case Management System (CCMS) developed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This system aims to streamline and enhance the management of criminal cases. Alongside the CCMS, the Ministry also launched a mobile app named ‘Sankalan’. This app, curated by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), serves as a comprehensive compendium of New Criminal Laws. These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for more efficient law enforcement and criminal justice administration.
Relevance:
GS II: Government policies and Interventions
Dimensions of the Article:
- Criminal Case Management System (CCMS)
- Sankalan App
- National Investigation Agency (NIA)
Criminal Case Management System (CCMS)
Definition and Purpose:
- Digital Platform: CCMS is a digital platform designed to streamline the management of criminal cases.
- Focus Areas: It particularly emphasizes cases related to terrorism and organised crime.
Key Features:
- Standardization: Aims to standardise investigations and compile terrorism-related data across India.
- User-Friendly Interface: CCMS is a browser-based software that is customizable and easy to use.
- Data Integration: Enables the integration, organisation, and digitalisation of data from investigations.
- Enhanced Coordination: Facilitates better coordination among law enforcement agencies.
- Efficiency and Justice: Designed to improve the efficiency of investigations and enhance the delivery of justice.
Benefits:
- Information Sharing: Promotes seamless sharing of information between central and state agencies.
- Comprehensive Tool: Provides a comprehensive tool for investigators, prosecutors, and other stakeholders in the criminal justice process.
Sankalan App
Purpose and Overview:
- Bridge Between Laws: The Sankalan app serves as a bridge between old and new criminal laws, helping users navigate through the changes.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Guide: Acts as a comprehensive guide for all stakeholders involved in criminal laws.
- Offline Mode: The app is accessible in offline mode, ensuring availability even in areas with limited connectivity.
- Accessibility: Ensures availability in remote areas, allowing stakeholders to access information around the clock.
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- It is a central agency mandated to investigate all the offences affecting the sovereignty, security and integrity of India, friendly relations with foreign states, and the offences under the statutory laws enacted to implement international treaties, agreements, conventions and resolutions of the United Nations, its agencies and other international organisations.
- These include terror acts and their possible links with crimes like smuggling of arms, drugs and fake Indian currency and infiltration from across the borders.
- The agency has the power to search, seize, arrest and prosecute those involved in such offences.
- Headquartered in Delhi, the NIA has its branches in Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kochi, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kolkata, Raipur, Jammu, Chandigarh, Ranchi, Chennai, Imphal, Bengaluru and Patna.
When did the NIA come into being?
- In the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in November 2008, which shocked the entire world, the then United Progressive Alliance government decided to establish the NIA.
- In December 2008, former Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram introduced the National Investigation Agency Bill.
- The Home Minister had then said the agency would deal with only eight laws mentioned in the schedule and that a balance had been struck between the right of the State and duties of the Central government to investigate the more important cases.
- The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
- The agency came into existence on December 31, 2008, and started its functioning in 2009.
- Till date, the NIA has registered 447 cases.
What are the scheduled offences?
- The list includes the Explosive Substances Act, Atomic Energy Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Anti-Hijacking Act, Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act, Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act, Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act and relevant offences under the Indian Penal Code, Arms Act and the Information Technology Act.
- In September 2020, the Centre empowered the NIA to also probe offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act that are connected to terror cases.
How wide is NIA’s jurisdiction?
The law under which the agency operates extends to the whole of India and also applies to Indian citizens outside the country; persons in the service of the government wherever they are posted; persons on ships and aircraft registered in India wherever they may be; persons who commit a scheduled offence beyond India against the Indian citizen or affecting the interest of India.
How does the NIA take up a probe?
- As provided under Section 6 of the Act, State governments can refer the cases pertaining to the scheduled offences registered at any police station to the Central government (Union Home Ministry) for NIA investigation.
- After assessing the details made available, the Centre can then direct the agency to take over the case.
- State governments are required to extend all assistance to the NIA.
- Even when the Central government is of the opinion that a scheduled offence has been committed which is required to be investigated under the Act, it may, suo motu, direct the agency to take up/over the probe.
- Where the Central government finds that a scheduled offence has been committed at any place outside India to which this Act extends, it can also direct the NIA to register the case and take up investigation.
- While investigating any scheduled offence, the agency can also investigate any other offence which the accused is alleged to have committed if the offence is connected to the scheduled offence.
-Source: The Hindu
