Home Minister Unveils Four Digital Apps to Streamline Criminal Justice System
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has introduced four new digital applications designed to modernise the criminal justice system in India. The apps — Abhigyan, Criminal Procedure Identification (CrPI), e-prosecution 2.0 and e-forensics 2.0 — aim to integrate policing, criminal identification, forensic investigation and prosecution management into a seamless digital network under the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS). The initiative seeks to accelerate investigations and prosecutions through the smart use of technology.
According to details shared by Shah on social media platform X over four days, the applications enable functions such as instant fingerprint matching, integrated DNA and face recognition, and real-time digital coordination among law enforcement agencies. The Abhigyan app allows field police to search the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), which holds over 1.3 crore fingerprints, directly from their smartphones. The app uses two-step authentication to secure the process.
Shah explained that the CrPI app integrates facial recognition, iris matching and DNA matching, making identification more reliable and reducing manual errors. It is designed to help in identifying repeat offenders and matching suspects from CCTV footage. So far, 2,190 CrPI units have been distributed and more than 553,000 enrolments completed.
The e-forensics app, Shah said, facilitates the real-time use of scientific evidence by ensuring smooth flow of information between laboratories and investigators. It enables inter-lab case transfers, digital tracking and case monitoring, aiming for prompt delivery of justice.
The e-prosecution app serves as a digital link between investigating agencies, prosecutors and the judiciary. It is intended to help dispose of cases within the three-year timeline set by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), from the registration of an FIR to the final judgement. The app uses seamless data streaming to reduce the time needed for criminal identification, evidence integration and timeline monitoring.
