Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Monday said that India’s premier investigative agencies are stretched too thin and advised them to focus solely on cases involving national security and economic offenses against the nation.
Addressing the 20th D. P. Kohli Memorial Lecture on CBI Raising Day in Delhi, CJI Chandrachud said, “I think we have perhaps been spreading our investigative agencies too thin over the years, despite a rapid change in the environment. Our premier investigative agencies must concentrate their attention and efforts on that class of crime which truly threatens the security of the nation, public order or economic health of the nation.”
Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasised how the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is increasingly being tasked with investigating a wide range of criminal cases beyond its primary role as an anti-corruption agency.
“This places a huge responsibility on CBI to live upto its motto,” the CJI noted.
The Chief Justice of India suggested that the solution lies in digitising the investigation process, starting from the filing of a First Information Report (FIR). Given the large number of cases, utilising technology is crucial to reduce delays.
He also stressed the importance of collaboration among all arms of the criminal justice administration and stakeholders, including the Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs), through workshops to address the challenges faced.
Furthermore, he said that structural reforms should be implemented to upgrade the probe agency.
Additionally, the CJI noted that artificial intelligence should be harnessed for the best outcome. Describing it as a “game changer” capable of revolutionising criminal justice, he highlighted its potential to mine leads and data “with unprecedented accuracy”.
“Because of skewed data, AI may lead to community-based profiling of marginalised social groups as having more crimes. This may not only abuse the privacy rights of individuals but also lead to disproportionate targeting of social groups. AI is a gift which must only be wielded within ethical boundaries,” he said.
He said that by leveraging these tools responsibly and ethically, technological advancements can benefit all members of society, regardless of their background or circumstances.
The CJI said clear guidelines and safeguards must be established to prevent misuse or abuse of AI and other advanced technologies, safeguard privacy rights, and address biases that may inadvertently arise.
“Leveraging advanced data analytics, cutting-edge forensic methodologies, and artificial intelligence offers unprecedented opportunities to bolster crime detection, investigation, and prosecution. However, this digital transformation must be underpinned by robust safeguards to protect individual rights, promote transparency, and mitigate the potential risks of technological misuse or abuse,” he stated.
(With inputs from PTI)
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