PANAJI: In a major move to overhaul the criminal justice system, the government has warned that any delay in filing a chargesheet will now lead to accountability being fixed on the concerned investigating officer. The decision is part of a wider framework to enforce the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) mandated under the new criminal laws, including Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Addressing a press conference in Porvorim today, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant further said that reforms in the department will focus on accountability, digital transformation and enhanced forensic support.
“If there is a delay in filing the chargesheet, the government will fix responsibility on the concerned police officers. Timely investigation and prosecution are crucial, particularly in cases related to organised crime, mob lynching and terrorism,” he said.
To ensure consistency in investigations, the government has issued a uniform set of SOPs for handling organised crime. “All police stations will follow the same SOPs for this type of organised crime,” Sawant added.
Training under the new legal framework is being treated as a priority. The Chief Minister said the government has committed to 100 percent training for officials across departments, including the police, home, law, and prosecution wings.
Digital upgrades are also underway to streamline legal procedures. E-summons have already been implemented, and infrastructure for e-postmortem reports is being developed. These will allow direct access of medical reports from hospitals to police stations. “We are ensuring 100 percent compliance through electronic delivery of medical and forensic reports,” the CM added.
Sawant also said that video conferencing (VC) facilities have been significantly expanded across the state. “Earlier, there were 13 VC-enabled locations. Now, we have increased that to 53, covering courts, jails, police stations, collector offices, and the prosecution department,” he said.
On the forensic front, Sawant said mobile forensic vans have been deployed to boost crime scene investigations. “Two have been issued by the Government of India and one by the State Government. These have already been used in accident investigations,” he said.
Sawant also raised concerns over gaps in forensic investigations. “Out of 1,899 FIRs in cases punishable by over seven years, forensic visits have been made in only 370 cases. We have already started the process to ensure 100% forensic visits to crime scenes, which is mandatory as per law,” he stated.
The government, he said, is also closely monitoring ongoing investigations and trials to ensure they meet legal timelines.
Sawant further stressed the need for a mechanism to return property seized during criminal investigations to the rightful owners. “The government will establish a mechanism to return property recovered from criminals to the rightful owners, including cases of land grabs,” he said. “We are working on rules, notifications, and administrative orders to ensure the restoration process is legally sound and effective, especially in cases involving adjoining jurisdictional limits.”
