PANAJI
What got Goa to emerge as one of the country’s top five performers in implementing India's new criminal laws? It may appear to be a mere administrative move, but it didn’t happen without planning, effort and infrastructure upgrades.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Varsha Sharma explains that Goa’s transition to the new criminal laws, introduced in 2024, was carried out in phases, with equal emphasis on infrastructure, technology, training and coordination among all stakeholders.
“The implementation involved five key pillars -- the police, prisons, forensic science, prosecution and the courts -- all of which had to transition simultaneously from the earlier legal framework comprising the IPC, CrPC and the Evidence Act. The priority was to familiarise officials with the new laws through extensive training programs conducted both online and offline,” she explained.
Training was the first step, and for that, Goa Police tied up with the Training Institute in Jaipur and other experts. “Around 10,000 police personnel were trained, along with prosecutors, prison officials, forensic personnel and court officials,” Sharma added.
For this, Goa Police also created a pool of master trainers who underwent specialised training in Hyderabad before being deployed across police stations to impart continuous training. While the initial phase has been completed, refresher sessions continue every month.
4,300+ FIRs, 3k+ chargesheets;
132 Zero FIRs transferred in Goa
Armed with the training, the transition saw the police register more than 4,300 FIRs under the new legal framework while overhauling investigations, prosecution and courtroom procedures through a technology-driven criminal justice system.
The State police registered 4,355 FIRs, filed 3,358 chargesheets and final reports, and handled over 170 Zero FIR transfers within and outside the State.
The growing adoption of technology-driven policing and inter-state coordination has also strengthened the concept of Zero FIRs, with 132 such cases transferred within Goa, 14 transferred to other States, and 24 Zero FIRs received from other States and Union Territories.
The figures point to the State's efforts to ensure that complaints are registered promptly regardless of jurisdiction before being transferred to the appropriate police station.
The new laws introduced strict timelines for which, Sharma revealed, infrastructure was upgraded. Complaints can now be filed online, after which complainants are required to visit the police station within 72 hours to sign the complaint before further action is taken.
Time-bound investigation
The investigation process has also become time-bound. Chargesheets in offences punishable with less than 10 years' imprisonment must be filed within 60 days, while offences carrying punishment exceeding 10 years require filing within 90 days.
The courts have been digitally integrated with the police system, enabling FIRs, chargesheets and final reports to be accessed online. The DIG said forensic capabilities have also been strengthened.
Investigating officers are now required to record crime scenes, seizures and other investigative procedures using the eSakshya application, with video recordings becoming part of the evidence placed before courts.
“The proceedings are videographed with time stamps. Statements, presence of witnesses and other relevant aspects are all recorded, which assists the courts during trial and reduces the possibility of witnesses retracting,” she said.
Sharma added that the State has also introduced a series of digital initiatives, including e-Prosecution, e-Summons, digital medico-legal reports and Nyaya Shruti, a video-conferencing facility that allows witnesses to depose remotely from locations such as district hospitals, prisons and government offices.
The facility has already been introduced in the North Goa District Court and is being expanded to other courts.
Goa Police continues to monitor implementation on a daily basis to ensure FIRs reach courts on time and investigations comply with statutory timelines.
She added that monthly coordination meetings involving all stakeholders are held to resolve operational issues, while the Chief Secretary regularly reviews the implementation process.
