Need to modernise investigation methods: HC to DGP

Time of India

2 days ago

Kochi: High court, in a significant judgment, directed the state police chief and home department to urgently modernise police investigation methods by replacing outdated practices such as hand-drawn sketches and unscientific mahazars with digital documentation, forensic analysis and audio-visual recording.
The bench of Justices V Raja Vijayaraghavan and K V Jayakumar observed that the police must take immediate steps to ensure the use of e-Sakshya or any other suitable digital platform for documenting all searches and seizures, all crime scenes related to offences punishable with imprisonment exceeding seven years and all confessional or witness statements permissible to be video recorded. HC emphasised that the necessary equipment and training must be provided to police officers without delay.
These directions were issued while allowing a criminal appeal filed by Suresh of Vallikode in Pathanamthitta, who had challenged his conviction and life sentence by the trial court in a murder case. The prosecution alleged that on Jan 1, 2015, Suresh had pushed his neighbour and relative, Purushothaman (60), into a drain from a height of six feet. Purushothaman succumbed to injuries at the Govt Medical College, Kottayam, on Jan 16.
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The trial court had convicted Suresh based on the testimony of the deceased's wife, who claimed to be an eyewitness. However, HC found serious lapses in the probe, particularly the police failure to record Purushothaman's statement while he was undergoing treatment, as well as the statement of the doctor who treated him. The court also noted that the initial report stated that Purushothaman had suffered injuries from a fall.
Also, the trial court had relied solely on the wife's testimony which appeared highly embellished.
HC observed that a careless or lackadaisical approach by investigators not only wastes public resources but also deprives courts of the full truth, undermines public trust and ultimately allows offenders to go scot-free. Effective investigators must integrate traditional techniques with modern scientific tools to ensure that all traces of evidence are properly collected and presented before the court.
Senior officers should ensure proper training of subordinates and hold them accountable for lapses. Forensic laboratories must also be adequately staffed and equipped to process evidence swiftly and reliably. The court further noted that the BNSS provisions expressly mandate audio-video documentation of critical investigative steps and early collection of forensic evidence, in order to ensure accountability and improve the quality of investigations.
Accordingly, the court directed the HC registry to forward a copy of the judgment to the state police chief and home department and to ensure that prompt and effective steps are taken to modernise investigations in strict compliance with the BNSS and in line with the binding directions of the court.