Police Stations Without Digital Facilities ‘Absolutely Unacceptable’: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has said that in today’s world, where every office is expected to have a digitised setup and computer facilities for maintaining data related to its functioning, police stations not having such facilities is “absolutely unacceptable”.

A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan said the issue was particularly serious as it had been informed that a substantial number of police stations across the country were not connected through a common internet platform. In some cases, police stations did not even have a system to upload details of cases pending there.

Court, refraining from taking a strict view or passing severe orders against the concerned States, gave them one last opportunity to ensure that all police stations are digitally connected within one month.

Court was dealing with a case concerning directions for registration of FIRs relating to missing persons. The matter arose from a plea filed by a man whose daughter went missing in Chennai in 2011.

Digitized police stations

As a consequence, Court directed that all First Information Reports (FIRs) must also be mandatorily uploaded on the computer system at the police station and, through the internet, on the concerned portal at the State level, if any, as well as the national portal, the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS).

“We clarify here that in cases where privacy issues may be involved or there may be some data which may be sensitive for national security, to that extent such data may be redacted/not specified while uploading on the portals, national or State, though to be maintained in the concerned police station,” the Bench said.

Court clarified that within one month, all police stations must be equipped with basic hardware for digitisation/computerisation and internet facilities, either through a dedicated line or a dongle. Similarly, Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) must also be digitised/computerised within the same period.

The Bench directed the respective Chief Secretaries/Home Secretaries and Directors General of Police of the States and Union Territories, along with the Secretary, Women and Child Welfare Department or any other administrative department concerned with the CWCs, to monitor compliance with the directions.

Integration of CCTNS, State portals

Court also directed the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to coordinate the exercise of integrating all national and State portals and remove any glitches.

The ultimate aim should be to ensure seamless transmission and integration of data from whatever local or other digital portal is in existence to CCTNS 2.0, Court said.

“It shall not be an excuse for the CCTNS that all police stations are not being digitized/computerized. The work of the CCTNS is to ensure that there is integration of all such platforms, which has nothing to do whether all police stations or other institutions are digitized/computerised,” the Bench said.

Court was informed that police stations are currently required to upload data on CCTNS as well as Mission Vatsalya. It was suggested that there should be software through which uploading data on any one platform would automatically integrate it with all connected platforms, allowing real-time synchronisation.

Court was also informed that CCTNS is required to integrate data from CCTV cameras installed at railway stations and bus stands across India, as buses and railways are major means of transportation for trafficked persons.

“We find the said suggestion to be very relevant and to add to the same, it shall also include the Airports,” the Bench said.

It added that the exercise should also cover ports, noting that India has a very long coastline and human trafficking has also been found to take place through water routes.

States to ensure compliance, prevent wasteful procurement

Court directed the concerned State Governments to wake up to the situation and ensure that its orders passed from time to time are strictly complied with within the prescribed time frame.

It also directed that sufficient funds be made available to ensure that obsolete equipment is not procured at inflated prices under the garb of complying with its directions.

“We indicate that the Director of the NIC shall personally form a team to provide the specifications and if it comes to the notice of the court that there has been any deviation from the two principles of up-to-date technology and the prices which can be negotiated to the benefit of the State Exchequer has not been kept in mind, the Director, NIC and the procurement committee shall be personally liable to answer this court,” the Bench said.

Court was also informed that a coordinate Bench, in Pinki v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Anr., was dealing with the issue of human trafficking through surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinics, as well as the proper implementation of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021.

The Bench directed the committee headed by senior counsel Mukta Gupta to examine this aspect as well and file a report.

Court also directed the NCRB to coordinate the exercise for integrating all portals, whether national or State-level, to remove any glitches.

SOP for disposal of unidentified dead bodies

The Bench further asked the Union Government, in coordination with all States, to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for disposal of the mortal remains of unidentified dead persons.

It said that the services of local voluntary organisations may also be utilised for performing cremation or burial for this purpose.

Court directed the concerned authorities to ensure compliance with its directions within the prescribed time frame.

Case Title: S Ganesh Vs State of Tamil Nadu & Ors

Bench: Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan 

Date of Order: October 05, 2026