The Uttar Pradesh Police headquarters has issued detailed guidelines to improve the quality, relevance, and courtroom admissibility of digital evidence collected during criminal investigations. Addressing shortcomings identified during an internal review of the e-Sakshya mobile application, the Director General of Police directed field investigators that simply uploading high volumes of video clips will no longer suffice. Digital files uploaded to the State Investigation Database must be authentic, legally sound, and capable of withstanding scrutiny during trial proceedings.
Poor Audio and Context Identified in Internal Scrutiny
The directives follow an assessment by a specialized legal and technical committee constituted at headquarters, which audited district-level uploads via the e-Sakshya monitoring dashboard. The scrutiny exposed systemic lapses that threatened to weaken prosecutions in court. In several instances, officers had filmed vacant or deserted locations without providing any accompanying audio or explaining what investigative step was underway. Significant problems were also flagged regarding camera positioning, as crime scenes were frequently shot from across busy roadways, drowning out the statements of victims and witnesses under street noise and traffic.
Identification Gaps and Procedural Lapses During Recoveries
The review observed that roadside bystanders or occupants of buildings were often recorded without establishing their identities or their direct connection to the crime. Officers have now been instructed to secure video statements from independent witnesses rather than relying solely on police testimony. Night-time seizures were also found wanting: while accused individuals appeared on camera, the seized items were rarely filmed at close range to show their distinct characteristics. Background chatter further diluted the clarity of recordings, while cases under the Arms Act revealed contradictions between FIR descriptions and the verbal statements captured during the recovery process.
Uniform Protocols Enforced for Courtroom Readiness
Under the revised framework, every investigator must state the exact context, purpose, and investigative action on camera at the start of each e-Sakshya video. A uniform standard operating procedure will govern the collection, examination, storage, and supervisory monitoring of all digital material across the state. Dedicated teams will continuously audit uploads to correct procedural and technical flaws before cases reach judicial scrutiny, ensuring that all digital exhibits reliably document the people, places, and physical objects tied to the offense.
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