Kolkata, July 29: Kolkata Police is set to expedite the resolution of old criminal cases by developing a specialized ‘Trial Monitoring App.’ This app aims to reduce delays in hearings and digitally track the progress of pending cases in courts.
A senior officer from Kolkata Police announced that the initial phase will monitor approximately 360 old cases through the app. These cases include several significant ones that have remained unresolved for an extended period.
According to police officials, the arrest of a suspect is just the first step in the investigation process. The priority is to ensure that offenders are punished by the courts. To achieve this, the Kolkata Police has established a ‘Trial Monitoring Cell’ within its Intelligence Department at Lalbazar.
This cell has identified old cases that are progressing slowly. Some of these cases were previously under the jurisdiction of West Bengal Police but were transferred to Kolkata Police following court orders.
Notable cases selected for monitoring include the 2010 Park Street fire incident and the 2011 fire at a private hospital in Dhakuria, which resulted in the deaths of 89 patients. Additionally, several other serious cases from various police stations in the city are included in this list.
Police have noted multiple reasons for delays in hearings. These include the retirement or transfer of investigating officers, witnesses failing to appear in court on time, and the absence of accused individuals.
In many instances, the process of framing charges before the trial begins is also pending, as not all accused can be present in court simultaneously. This leads to several old cases dragging on for years.
Sources from Lalbazar Police revealed that the proposed ‘Trial Monitoring App’ will contain detailed information about all pending cases. Police officers, investigating officers, members of the Trial Monitoring Cell, public prosecutors, and relevant officials will have access to this app.
The app will allow immediate visibility into the status of any case. It will provide information on how many witness statements have been recorded, how many witnesses are yet to testify, how many accused are in judicial custody, and how many are out on bail. Additionally, details of previous hearings and the next scheduled date will also be available on the app.
The Trial Monitoring Cell of Kolkata Police is currently reviewing cases that are progressing slowly. Officials are meeting with investigating officers and public prosecutors to identify the causes of delays and take steps to resolve them.
The police emphasize that this digital initiative aims not only to monitor cases but also to expedite the judicial process and bring criminals to justice as quickly as possible. According to officials, the implementation of the app will make the resolution process for old cases more effective and transparent.
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