Amit Shah sets 3-year justice delivery target, pushes use of AI in probes

2026-06-21 · 3 min

UPSC CSE Context Why in News: Home Minister sets 3 year justice delivery target and launches tech applications for criminal justice reform. Syllabus Connection: Polity: Criminal justice system reforms; Governance: Use of technology in administration. Exam Relevance: Relevant for questions on judicial reforms, technology in governance, and police modernization. Core Issue Government aims to complete criminal justice process within three years using AI and scientific evidence. Key Development: Launch of NCRB Abhigyan, CrPI, e Prosecution 2.0, e Forensics 2.0 applications for speedy justice. Stakeholders: Union Home Ministry National Crime Records Bureau State Police Judiciary Criminals Static Knowledge High Value Background: Criminal justice process includes FIR registration, investigation, trial, conviction, and appeals. National Automated Fingerprint Identification System NAFIS is a national fingerprint database managed by NCRB. Exam Linkage: Useful for questions on criminal law reform

## UPSC CSE Context **Why in News:** Home Minister sets 3-year justice delivery target and launches tech applications for criminal justice reform. **Syllabus Connection:** Polity: Criminal justice system reforms; Governance: Use of technology in administration. **Exam Relevance:** Relevant for questions on judicial reforms, technology in governance, and police modernization. ## Core Issue Government aims to complete criminal justice process within three years using AI and scientific evidence. **Key Development:** Launch of NCRB-Abhigyan, CrPI, e-Prosecution 2.0, e-Forensics 2.0 applications for speedy justice. **Stakeholders:** - Union Home Ministry - National Crime Records Bureau - State Police - Judiciary - Criminals ## Static Knowledge **High-Value Background:** - Criminal justice process includes FIR registration, investigation, trial, conviction, and appeals. - National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) is a national fingerprint database managed by NCRB. **Exam Linkage:** - Useful for questions on criminal law reforms, police reforms, and e-governance in justice delivery. **Concepts in Context:** - Predictive policing uses AI and data analytics to anticipate crimes and identify repeat offenders. - CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) is a nationwide police database. ## Dynamic Analysis ### Governance - Three-year target from FIR to conviction aims to reduce pendency and improve justice delivery. - Use of AI and scientific evidence shifts from traditional force-based policing to evidence-based investigation. - Predictive policing raises concerns about privacy, data security, and potential bias in algorithms. ### Science and Technology - AI and machine learning enable pattern analysis to identify repeat offenders and interstate networks. - NAFIS database strengthening with crime scene fingerprints enhances forensic evidence reliability. - e-Prosecution and e-Forensics platforms digitize case management and forensic workflows. - Cybersecurity safeguards and audits are critical to protect sensitive criminal databases from misuse. ### Legal and Constitutional - Speedy justice is a fundamental right under Article 21, but three-year timeline may be challenging given current pendency. - Predictive policing must comply with legal standards of presumption of innocence and due process. - Integration of scientific evidence requires amendments to evidence laws and training of investigators. ## Prelims Takeaways - CCTNS has been implemented in all 17,840 police stations across India. ## Mains Value Addition **Arguments:** - Technology can expedite justice but must be balanced with privacy and civil liberties. - Predictive policing can reduce crime but risks profiling and discrimination if not regulated. - Evening courts can reduce pendency but require adequate infrastructure and judicial manpower. - Scientific evidence reduces reliance on witness testimony, improving conviction rates. **Examples:** - NCRB databases contain 1.29 crore fingerprint records, 10 lakh narcotics offenders, and 3.65 lakh human trafficking records. **Data Points:** - CCTNS contains 37.68 crore digital records across all police stations. **Counterpoints:** - Three-year timeline may be unrealistic given current case pendency in courts. - AI in policing may lead to algorithmic bias and violation of privacy rights. - Evening courts may face resistance from lawyers and judges due to workload concerns. ## Way Forward - Establish independent oversight for AI and predictive policing to ensure accountability. - Strengthen cybersecurity frameworks for criminal databases to prevent data breaches. - Pilot evening courts in select districts before nationwide rollout to assess feasibility. - Amend procedural laws to integrate forensic evidence and streamline appeals process.

Source: National Affairs