Even though the new criminal law codes which came into effect from July first aims to modernise the criminal justice system in the country, the not so tech-savvy investigators of the Police Department in Durg district seem to be grappling with the changes as it is becoming harder for them to adapt to the use of technology. The new provisions of the criminal laws are aptly being implemented in the district but most of the police investigators are finding it a daunting task to record audio-video during search and seizures and also confessions and statements of witnesses with their mobile phones.

 

Due to lack of training, it has become harder for the police investigators to employ the audio-video technology in investigations and currently, making the investigators well versed with the use of technology has become a challenge for the Durg Police. Most of the investigators ranging from Head Constable to Sub-Inspectors deployed in different police stations of the Durg district are above 50 years of age and the use of audio-video recording during investigations and uploading the same on the designated application ‘E-Sakshya’ is becoming a herculean task for them. Several police investigators serving in the rank of Head Constable and Assistant Sub Inspector promoted to their ranks are finding it difficult to completely utilise their mobile handsets in pursuance to the investigation.

 

In most of the cases, it has so far been seen that the constables from the younger generation have been assisting the investigators in comfortably recording the audio-video and uploading the same on the mobile application. Sources said that while several police investigators are busy in unlearning and relearning legal codes that have been part of their daily operations for decades, most among them are still unable to effectively use technology in their investigations. Requesting anonymity, a young police constable said ‘I accompany my superior investigating officer to the crime scene to record audio and video from my mobile phone which is also uploaded by me on the mobile application. However, the certificate confirming the upload of evidence is issued by my senior’, he said.

 

The instance hints on the dire need of teaching the use of technology to the investigators so that they can ensure safe and secure storage and transfer of electronic evidence. Durg Range Inspector General of Police, Ram Gopal Garg when contacted said that some constables have been given postings in police stations exclusively so that they can assist the police investigators on the technology front. “We have been organizing training workshops, distributing necessary literature related to new laws etc in police stations to ensure that the new laws are implemented effectively. Police personnel well versed in technology have been assisting the investigating officers in following the provisions, said Garg.