The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) kicked off its 37th Foundation Day celebrations on March 11th. The NCRB, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, was established in 1986, serving as a repository for crime and criminal-related data. This information aids in linking misdeeds to their respective perpetrators.
The creation of the NCRB was inspired by the recommendations of the National Police Commission (1977-1981) and the MHA’s Task Force (1985). It holds the essential role of maintaining the National Database of Sexual Offenders (NDSO). The bureau shares this database regularly with States/UTs.
The NCRB also manages the ‘Online Cyber-Crime Reporting Portal’ where citizens can lodge complaints or upload video evidence concerning child pornography, rapes, and gang rapes.
Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS)
Another important duty of the NCRB is the implementation of the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS). The ICJS acts as a platform to integrate the key IT systems used in delivering criminal justice in the country. This includes the police through Crime and Criminal Tracking and Network Systems, e-Forensics for Forensic Labs, e-Courts for Courts, e-Prosecution for Public Prosecutors, and e-Prisons for Prisons.
The Indian government is working towards phase two of ICJS by 2026, with an estimated expenditure of about Rs. 3,500 crore.
NCRB’s Major Publications
The NCRB regularly publishes important documents such as the ‘Crimes in India’, ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides’, ‘Prison Statistics’, and ‘Reports on Missing Women and Children in India’.
The State of Crime in India
According to the NCRB’s ‘Crime in India Report 2020’, there was a significant rise in specific types of crimes. Communal riots increased by a staggering 96% compared to the previous year. However, crimes against women, children, and senior citizens, including theft, burglary, robbery, and dacoity, decreased by about 2 lakh cases. There was a 78.1% increase in environment-related offenses. The rate of cybercrime also escalated from 3.3% in 2019 to 3.7% in 2020.
How to Strengthen the NCRB
The NCRB’s data must be utilized by the states in formulating their annual police strategy for effective crime control. Through multi-dimensional and multi-purpose use, the institution can become more result-oriented. While 16,390 police stations have been connected on CCTNS, central agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) are yet to establish a connection.
All agencies should join the CCTNS as soon as possible to achieve 100% data completion. Following the implementation of phase 2 of ICJS, advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Block Chain, analytical tools, and fingerprint systems should be employed to increase its usefulness.
