This document summarizes the Indian government's initiatives to integrate technology into the new criminal law system, as outlined in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2738 on August 5, 2025. The government has developed applications such as eSakshya for the secure handling of digital evidence, eSummon for electronic delivery of summons, and Nyaya Shruti VC to facilitate virtual appearances in court proceedings. Integration with the MedLeaPR application enables electronic exchange of medico-legal reports. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has upgraded the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network Systems (CCTNS) application with 23 new functionalities to align with the new criminal laws and has launched the "NCRB Sankalan of Criminal Laws" mobile app, available on Android and iOS, as a guide to the new laws. Furthermore, Sections 254, 265, and 266 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, explicitly allow for the recording of evidence and examination of witnesses through audio-visual electronic means. Section 530 of the BNSS permits trials, inquiries, and proceedings to be conducted electronically. These measures aim to improve the speed, efficiency, and transparency of the judicial process.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI ASHOK KUMAR YADAV: Member of Parliament who raised the question in Lok Sabha.
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS: The government ministry responsible for internal security and policy matters.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR: Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs who provided the answer.
eSakshya: An application developed to enable lawful, scientific and tamperproof collection, preservation and electronic submission of digital evidence.
National Crime Records Bureau NCRB: An Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing crime data.
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network Systems CCTNS: An application for providing 23 new functionalities as per the provisions of new criminal laws.
Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNNS, 2023: A new criminal law in India that provides for use of audiovideo electronic means for recording of evidence and examination of witnesses.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2738
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 5TH AUGUST, 2025/ SARVANA 14, 1947 (SAKA)
ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
†2738. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR YADAV:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to promote the use of technology in
the new criminal law system;
(b) whether the importance to electronic evidence in criminal proceedings
is given under the new criminal laws;
(c) whether the new criminal law provides for the facility of recording the
statements of witnesses through video conferencing; and
(d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to implement it?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR)
(a) & (b): To significantly improve the speed, efficiency and transparency
of the judicial process, applications like e-Sakshya, e-Summon and Nyaya-
Shruti (VC) have been developed. While the e-Sakshya enables lawful,
scientific and tamper-proof collection, preservation and electronic
submission of digital evidence thus ensuring authenticity and reducing
delays, e-Summon allow summons to be delivered through electronic
means, making the process faster, time-bound and easily trackable. Nyaya-
Shruti (VC) facilitates virtual appearance of accused persons, witnesses,-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2738 FOR 05.08.2025
police officials, prosecutors, scientific experts, prisoners etc. through
video conferencing. Integration with Medico Legal Examination & Post-
mortem Reporting (MedLeaPR) application for exchanging Medico Legal
Reports with Hospitals is also provided for.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has developed software
patches to upgrade Crime and Criminal Tracking Network Systems
(CCTNS) application for providing 23 new functionalities as per the
provisions of new criminal laws. These patches have been given to the
States/ UTs for deployment.
NCRB has also launched a Mobile App called ‘NCRB Sankalan of
Criminal Laws’ as a comprehensive guide on new criminal laws for the
benefit of all stakeholders. This Mobile App is available on Android and iOS
platforms.
(c) & (d): Section 254 (Evidence for Protection), section 265 (Evidence for
Prosecution) and section 266 (Evidence for Defence) of Bhartiya Nagarik
Suraksha Sanhita (BNNS), 2023 provide for use of audio-video electronic
means for recording of evidence and examination of witnesses. Further,
section 530 of BNSS provides that all trials, inquiries and proceedings
under BNSS may be held in electronic mode, by use of electronic
communication or use of audio-video electronic means.
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