Maharashtra to Establish State-of-the-Art Cyber Lab
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the establishment of the country’s most modern and largest cyber lab in Navi Mumbai to combat crime effectively. Speaking at a function, Fadnavis emphasized the significance of technological advancements and the enactment of new criminal laws in boosting conviction rates and strengthening the criminal justice system.
The newly enacted laws – the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharat Sakshya Act – are set to come into force nationwide from July 1. Fadnavis highlighted their provisions for modern electronic and technical evidence, which are expected to revolutionize evidence collection and significantly enhance conviction rates.
During the inauguration of the Evidence Management Centre (EMC) and the Evidence Despatch Van (EDV) in Navi Mumbai, Fadnavis underscored the importance of these initiatives in streamlining evidence handling and increasing conviction rates. The EMC, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, eliminates human intervention, thereby ensuring the integrity of evidence and bolstering the criminal justice system.
Fadnavis also stressed the importance of leveraging blockchain technology to prevent tampering and ensure the reliability of evidence. He cited the significant improvement in conviction rates during his tenure, from 9% to 50%, attributing it to the focus on technical evidence and the adoption of modern technologies.
Under the new acts, experts will be responsible for collecting evidence in cases where the sentence exceeds seven years Maharashtra , with electronic and digital evidence deemed admissible and immune to tampering. The Navi Mumbai police commissionerate is set to become the first in the country to align with these new acts, with plans for the establishment of the most modern cyber lab to tackle cyber crimes efficiently.
With digital transactions on the rise, the Maharashtra government aims to bring all banks, NBFCs, and social media platforms onto a unified platform to detect and prevent crimes swiftly. The event was attended by Maharashtra Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla and Navi Mumbai police commissioner Milind Bharambe, underscoring the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to ensure citizen safety and combat crime effectively.
