Author: Md. Imran Wahab

Hash Values: The Cornerstone of Digital Forensics In today’s digital age, information is everywhere — stored in smartphones, computers, cloud servers, and countless connected devices. This information is not only central to daily life but also forms the backbone of modern criminal investigations. From CCTV footage to seized laptops, digital evidence frequently plays a decisive role in the pursuit of justice. Yet, a pressing question arises: how can we be certain that digital evidence remains untampered, unaltered, and authentic? The answer lies in hash values — the cornerstone of digital forensics. What Is a Hash Value? A hash value is…

Evidence Bags and Criminal Justice The collection, storage, and presentation of evidence form the linchpin of the criminal justice system. Whether physical, biological, digital, or documentary, evidence is the foundation upon which determinations of guilt or innocence rest. However, its probative value can be irreparably compromised if its integrity is lost through mishandling, contamination, or tampering. To mitigate these risks, evidence bags have emerged as a crucial safeguard in investigative and legal processes. They are specifically designed with unique features that make any unauthorized opening or tampering immediately visible, thereby preserving the integrity of the material for judicial scrutiny. Types…

Barasat child abduction rumours and social media panic In June 2024, Barasat in West Bengal was gripped by panic. The body of an 11-year-old boy was found in a toilet, and within hours, Facebook posts claimed he had fallen victim to a child abduction gang. Anger spread like wildfire. Crowds gathered, violence erupted, and police faced attacks as they tried to calm the situation. By the time the truth emerged – that the boy’s own uncle had killed him in a property dispute – the damage was done. Property was vandalized, officers were injured, and local Facebook group administrators faced…

A Faraday bag is a specialized container used by criminal investigators to protect electronic evidence. It’s designed to block all wireless signals, like Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth, from reaching a seized device such as a phone or laptop. By immediately placing a device inside a Faraday bag, investigators prevent remote wiping, incoming messages, and other data alterations that could compromise the evidence, ensuring its integrity and legal admissibility in court. Legislative Mandate for Electronic Data Protection: India’s new laws, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023, have introduced robust safeguards for handling electronic…

Collegial Affirmation in Law Enforcement In the demanding realm of law enforcement, collegial affirmation holds immense power, significantly influencing an officer’s career path and team dynamics. However, this vital professional acknowledgment is often disproportionately awarded, driven more by an individual’s visibility, political, personal and hierarchical affinity, or internal politics than by genuine merit. This imbalance unfairly elevates a select few while leaving equally or more dedicated personnel unappreciated, inevitably fostering diminished morale, brewing resentment, and eroding the foundational trust critical for any effective police force. A Striking Contrast in Commendation Consider this scenario: two dedicated officers respond to separate incidents,…

Copyright Act, 1957 – Overview The Copyright Act is a cornerstone of intellectual property law, designed to protect the rights of creators—authors, musicians, artists, filmmakers, and software developers—over their original works. In India, this law is embodied in the Copyright Act, 1957, which has been amended several times to address technological advancements such as digital streaming, online sharing, and new cultural practices. Its primary aim is to balance private rights and public interest: ensuring that creators are rewarded for their work while society benefits from cultural, educational, and scientific progress. What Is Copyright? Copyright grants exclusive rights to creators over…

CCTV Footage and Electronic Evidence in Indian Courts The increasing reliance on electronic evidence, particularly CCTV footage, in criminal trials has historically presented a challenge for Indian courts. Under the erstwhile Indian Evidence Act (IEA), 1872, such records were treated as secondary evidence, and their admissibility was governed by the stringent technical requirements of Section 65B. This often complicated legal proceedings, as a specific certificate was mandated to prove the integrity of the electronic record. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023, marks a significant and methodical shift in this approach. It recognizes electronic records as primary evidence under Section 57,…

The existence of both the OSA and the RTI Act reveals a fundamental clash between two different approaches to governance. The OSA stems from a colonial mindset that valued secrecy, while the RTI Act reflects modern democratic principles that champion openness. The OSA makes it illegal to share officially designated “secret” information without permission. In contrast, the RTI Act grants citizens the right to access government documents, shifting the power over information from state control to public empowerment. The Official Secrets Act, 1923 – A Legacy of Colonial Secrecy Originally established to protect imperial interests, the OSA gives the government…

India’s Criminal Justice Transformation: BNSS 2023 India’s criminal justice landscape has undergone a profound transformation with the enactment of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in 2023. This landmark legislation supersedes the long-standing Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973, ushering in a contemporary framework for handling criminal proceedings. A cornerstone of these reforms is the mandatory video documentation of crime scenes in designated categories of cases. This pivotal development naturally prompts a critical inquiry: given the widespread availability of sophisticated video technology today, do traditional, manually sketched crime scene diagrams retain their relevance? Key Provisions of BNSS 2023 Mandatory Videography:…

A “speaking order” signifies a formal determination or judgment where the rationale underpinning the conclusion is explicitly articulated. Such an explained pronouncement serves as a bedrock principle for fair public administration and judicial proceedings, safeguarding clarity, compelling answerability, and affording the opportunity to contest resolutions. Both within the legal traditions of India and across the global spectrum of jurisprudence, the provision of such reasoned orders is regarded as vital for upholding the fundamental doctrines of procedural fairness. Specifically, this encompasses the mandate of audi alteram partem (the right to be heard) and the necessity of conclusions founded on reasoned decision-making. The Mandate…