Kathmandu, July 12

Nepal Police today claimed that its three-year crime investigation action plan was successful in ensuring justice for victims and taking action against perpetrators.

The action plan was put into effect in 2015 upon its approval by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The action plan envisioned scientific investigation approach, crime-free society and management of infrastructure for maintaining law and order in the country.

Speaking at a programme organised at Nepal Police headquarters in Naxal to review the action plan, Additional Inspector General Thule Rai, chief of the Crime Investigation Department, said the security agency had achieved success as expected and was committed to broadening the scope of crime investigation in the days ahead.

“The action plan was a tool for law enforcement agency to gradually strengthen and modernise crime investigation and prosecution,” he said. Deputy Inspector General of Police Pitambar Adhikari said the action plan maintained a policy of zero-tolerance against perpetrators without compromising peace and security of the society.

Deputy Attorney General Shyam Kumar Bhattarai said the investment in peace and security sectors would never go in vain. “Such investment will take the country on the path of development and prosperity. Development is not possible without security. There should be close coordination between investigators and prosecutors for successful crime investigation,” he said.

Forensic expert Dr Harihar Osti suggested Nepal Police to further strengthen the forensic lab and medico-legal sector for gathering evidence in more scientific manner. According to Nepal Police, it has been applying scientific methods to prevent and investigate crime.

Besides effective patrolling, surveillance and stop-and-searches; public awareness, establishment of citizen help desks, public hearing programmes, and special police patrolling in crime-sensitive areas are being carried out to prevent and stop crimes.

Prioritising maximum use of modern technology for evidence-based investigations, a high-tech mobile forensic van, polygraph, automated fingerprint investigation system and other scientific methods have been brought into use for crime investigation. Nepal Police has also stepped up the process of recording crime cases digitally, in its Crime and Criminal Information System database.

According to CID, it has been working for digital recording of old data where 54 officers at 27 computer work stations are uploading the digitised information on CCIS. Besides, 67 police units across the country have also been deployed for uploading crime data in CCIS.

The CCIS functions as a central criminal database. The database will provide all its units with instant and direct access to criminal information to identify any absconding suspects or convicts.

It will contain information about persons released after doing time in jail and those released on a general date.