UP Tops In Usage Of Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS)

For the third year, Uttar Pradesh has achieved the highest entry rate on the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) platform.

About Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) platform

• The Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) platform is a concept of the Supreme Court's e-committee and is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) platform began by preparing 'The National Policy and Action Plan' to implement ICT in the Indian Judiciary. The Supreme Court's e-committee did this.
• The Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) transfers data between the police, jails, courts, and forensic science labs in the criminal justice system.

Importance of Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS)

• The Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) platform allows High Courts and subordinate courts to access the metadata of FIRs and charge sheets.
• Police upload documents such as FIRs, case diaries, and charge sheets in PDF format for the courts to use.
• The e-Committee is currently working on standardizing data and metadata for exchanging information. They are developing processes to validate data. 
• They also set up a technical system to store, recognize and protect electronic records. This tool effectively manages cases and courts. It provides real-time access to all relevant case information for the courts.

About e-Committee

• In recognition of the significant need to reform the Indian judicial sector by adopting new technologies and developing a National Policy and Action Plan to implement ICT in courts, the Chief Justice of India, Mr Justice R.C. Lahoti, proposed the formation of the e-Committee. 
• The e-Committee's mandate was to help create a National Policy that would enable the Indian judiciary to prepare itself for the digital age. 
• By adapting and applying technologies and communication tools, the justice delivery system would become more efficient, benefiting all its stakeholders.

Implementation of ICJS

• High Courts can appoint an IPS officer to oversee data integration on the Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) platform in each State.
• High Courts can also appoint a Nodal Officer to ensure that the police, as well as other State functionaries like Provident Fund Organisation, Forest Department, Town Planning Authorities, Municipal Authorities, Labour Welfare Boards, Food and Drug Administration, are included in Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS).