Law officials to improve Delhi’s conviction rate

◗

To improve conviction rate of criminal cases in the city, a Delhi police proposal for creation of 56 posts of deputy legal advisors and 181 assistant legal advisors is under consideration of the Union home ministry.

Another proposal for more investigating officers for quality and professional investigation is also being considered.

Sources said that the Centre was in the process of strengthening the police force in the wake of a fall in conviction rate over the past 12 years. While in 2005, 31.2 per cent of cases had resulted in convictions, it decreased drastically in 2016 to a mere 4.9 per cent.

Delhi, which had the best conviction rate in India 10 years ago, is now competing with states such as Bihar, Assam and West Bengal, of taking the tag of a state with the

Delhi, which had the best conviction rate in India 10 years ago, is now competing with states such as Bihar, Assam and West Bengal, of taking the tag of a state with the worst conviction rate

worst conviction rate.

Even states such as Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, which recorded maximum FIRs in 2016 ( over 2.64 lakh in Maharashtra and 2.85 lakh in UP), have seen better conviction rates than the capital with 15 per cent and 13.1 per cent, respectively.

The Delhi police’s total strength is around 90,000 personnel, of which 25 per cent perform only security duties. The force has 6,500 investigating officers ( IOs) to probe more than 2 lakh cases.

The police force has requested the MHA to increase the number of public prosecutors in ratio with the rise in criminal cases. For instance, the number of cases lodged in 2011 was just 53,353. These cases saw a quantum jump — 2,09,519 in 2016.

Sources said that a mechanism was being devised through which assistance of legal experts would be sought to provide better guidance to investigating officers. There is also a move to upgrade the existing forensic facilities by setting up new laboratories. Reports suggest that the force was considering to deploy mobile forensic vans in all districts for collection and examination of on- the- spot evidence. A senior police officer said the force has already set up a legal cell, headed by an officer of the rank of the deputy commissioner of police, to monitor and analyse orders.