Amit Shah addresses the inaugural session of the 26th All India Fingerprint Conference 2026 in New Delhi as Chief Guest

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the inaugural session of the 26th All India Fingerprint Conference 2026 in New Delhi as the Chief Guest. The Home Minister also launched the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) Abhigyan, CrPI, e-Prosecution 2.0 and e-Forensics 2.0 applications launched today will facilitate the speedy disposal of pending cases and help ensure timely delivery of justice.  The event was attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including the Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Director, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), and the Director, Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL).

In his address, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that India is currently undergoing a significant transformation in its criminal justice system. He said that the time has come to make the criminal justice system an effective and appropriate instrument for ensuring the rights guaranteed to citizens by the constitution.

Shri Amit Shah said that since August 2019, the Modi Government has undertaken a comprehensive campaign to bring fundamental reforms in criminal laws. He said that the objective is not only to modernize the criminal justice system but also to make science and technology its integral components. Ensuring justice within three years from the registration of an FIR to conviction is a key objective of the Modi Government’s criminal justice reforms. Shri Shah said that the government is establishing a robust framework to ensure justice within three years. He added that over the last seven years, the country has moved very close to achieving this significant goal, with NCRB playing a pivotal role in this journey.

Union Home Minister said that he has held extensive consultations with Chief Ministers and Home Ministers of 24 states to ensure the effective implementation of the new criminal laws. Along with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) and NCRB have served as key pillars in this effort. Shri Amit Shah said that the NCRB has played a nurturing role, much like a mother, in supporting the police forces of all states by not only encouraging their capacity building efforts but also providing them with the necessary training. Shri Shah said that as a result of these sustained efforts, the new criminal justice laws are being implemented smoothly in police stations across the country following their enforcement.

Shri Amit Shah said that scientific evidence is the most powerful weapon in combating crime. He said that preserving scientific evidence from the crime scene from the very beginning is one of the most effective ways to secure convictions. He said fingerprints are among the most important forms of scientific evidence. Effective collection and utilization of fingerprint records are critical, with the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) serving as a key pillar of this framework. He said that NAFIS has significantly contributed to solving even the most complex cases.

Union Home Minister said that NAFIS should not be used merely to identify offenders. Its effectiveness depends on continuously enriching the database by uploading fingerprints collected from every crime scene. He described NAFIS as a two-way system that is invaluable in proving crimes but also requires continuous data generation. Therefore, training programmes should focus not only on searching the database but also on systematically uploading crime-scene fingerprints to strengthen it.

Union Home Minister said that the government’s objective is clear: no criminal, however intelligent, should be able to evade the combined force of law and science. Through scientific investigation, time-bound prosecution, and the effective use of an integrated criminal justice system, crime control can be ensured. He said that merely apprehending offenders is insufficient as lasting crime prevention can only be achieved when society develops confidence that criminal acts will inevitably result in punishment.

Union Home Minister said that continued emphasis must be placed not only on apprehending offenders but also on ensuring that crimes are proven in a time-bound manner. He said that the focus should not be limited merely to the arrest of criminals. Shri Shah emphasized that scientifically establishing crimes and ensuring timely justice are equally important.

Home Minister said that however the situation today has changed completely. Today, all stakeholders in the criminal justice system including police, prison administration, prosecution agencies, courts, and forensic laboratories have not only embraced these reforms but have also contributed to their advancement. He said that it is now the government’s responsibility to communicate the success of these reforms to the public.

Shri Amit Shah said that since the implementation of the new criminal laws, several cases have resulted in convictions, including life imprisonment, within 90 days. He said that training programmes should extend beyond merely learning how to use applications. Training should cover the generation of scientific evidence and the entire process up to filing charge sheets. Shri Amit Shah said that the new laws contain provisions aimed at simplifying the work of both prosecution and judiciary. Outdated procedures have been replaced with dynamic systems based on scientific evidence, helping reduce prosecution timelines. He said that meaningful results can only be achieved when police, prosecutors, forensic experts, and the judiciary all become integral parts of training programmes.

Home Minister urged Directors General of Police from states who joined the inaugural session virtually to dedicate at least one day every week for training on these critical aspects and continue the effort for at least one year. He said the importance of transforming information into intelligence and noted that the system is increasingly focused on converting vast information repositories into actionable intelligence that can help secure convictions.

Union Home Minister said that ensuring the quality and security of databases such as NAFIS and CRPI is primarily the responsibility of states. He said that a criminal’s DNA sample, if properly preserved, can also be used in the investigation of other crimes. Therefore, it is extremely important to ensure the accurate collection and secure storage of such samples. Shri Shah added that similarly, the collection, security, and application of NAFIS data must all be carried out with great precision.

Shri Amit Shah urged all states to prioritize database quality and security, remarking that data stored passively becomes a burden rather than an asset. Data yields real value only when transformed into intelligence. He called for the creation of specialized teams in every state that use Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and data analytics to analyze crime patterns, identify repeat offenders, and develop offender profiles.

Shri Amit Shah said that some criminals exploit jurisdictional boundaries between states. Databases should therefore be used to identify interstate and international offenders. He said that data must be converted into actionable intelligence through AI-driven analysis and advanced software systems capable of generating precise insights. Strong measures should also be implemented to ensure database security, including accountability mechanisms, cybersecurity safeguards, access logs, SOP-based usage, third-party audits, and penalties for misuse.

Home Minister said that training must be made more practical. He stated that charge sheets should be kept concise and only relevant evidence should be included. Shri Shah emphasized that provisions under the new laws should be used to ensure time-bound prosecution. The Home Minister stressed that training modules should incorporate the art of drafting concise charge sheets, along with the precise processes of collecting, preserving, and uploading scientific evidence. He added that these modules should be developed by experienced prosecutors. Shri Shah remarked that if, even after matching fingerprints, telephone tower data, facial recognition, iris, and DNA, courts are still presented with 250 pieces of evidence, then technology serves no real purpose.

Union Home Minister further said that due to the efforts of state police forces, the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) has now been successfully implemented in all 17,840 police stations across the country. He said that the country currently has access to legacy data, including 37 crore 68 lakh FIRs. He added that 22,000 courts have been connected to the e-Courts system, and efforts are underway to digitize legacy prosecution records. Home Minister stated that the e-Prisons system contains data on 2 crore 29 lakh prisoners, while the e-Forensics database includes information on 34 lakh 48 thousands cases. Additionally Crime Multi Agency Centre (Cri-Mac) 43 lakh 16 thousand alert records. Shri Shah said that all this data is like a cupboard stored in a room, unless it is analyzed using modern technologies and artificial intelligence and converted into actionable intelligence, it remains a burden rather than an asset. He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has already begun work in this direction and has involved a large number of young professionals in the process.

Shri Amit Shah said that India currently has approximately 1 crore 29 lakh fingerprints record, records of around 9 lakh 91 thousand narcotics offenders, data relating to 3 lakh 65 thousands human trafficking cases, and extensive prison databases. Together, these constitute a valuable national asset. The next step is to ensure that the entire criminal justice ecosystem learns to harness this power and convert data into operational capability.

Union Home Minister said that over the next five years, every stakeholder in the criminal justice system must focus on making data actionable, integrating databases, developing robust analytical methods, and involving young professionals in designing innovative crime-control modules. He said, NCRB and BPR&D are evolving beyond being mere record-keeping institutions into intelligence-driven crime prevention organizations.

Shri Amit Shah said that NCRB established the Modus Operandi Bureau four years ago. Following this conference, the bureau will further advance the process of utilizing data effectively. This will not only help secure convictions but also enable authorities to prevent crimes before they occur. He said that crime control has two dimensions, ensuring punishment after a crime and preventing crime through predictive identification of patterns, repeat offenders, and interstate or international criminal networks.

Union Home Minister reiterated that the objective of the new criminal justice codes is clear: wherever a crime is registered in the country, the entire judicial process including appeals up to the Supreme Court should be completed and guilt established within three years. He said, Ministry of Home Affairs is working in collaboration with the Supreme Court and High Courts to prepare a blueprint for reducing the pendency of cases. Union Home Minister said efforts are also underway to establish evening courts and create new mechanisms for clearing pending criminal cases in High Courts and the Supreme Court. He said that Ministry of Home Affairs will not tolerate delays at any cost. He said, scientifically prepared charge sheets, efficient prosecution, and full cooperation from courts will be essential.

Concluding his address, Shri Amit Shah said NCRB must continue working with the same vision with which it was established. Appreciating the contributions of BPR&D and NCRB, he remarked that effective crime control in India would not be possible without these institutions. Congratulating NCRB officers and staff for their dedication, he noted that the organization’s role will become even more important in the years ahead. The Home Minister also described the Fingerprint Bureau as an indispensable tool in the criminal justice system and urged participants to focus on practical issues such as scientific methods of data collection, evidence preservation at crime scenes, database security, and rapid NAFIS searches from police stations.

Union Minister of Home and Minister of Cooperation launched four important applications today

1. NCRB-Abhigyan

2. CrPI Application

3. e-Prosecution 2.0

4. e-Forensics 2.0

NCRB-Abhigyan – This mobile application enables field police personnel to search the National Fingerprint Database from any location using a certified fingerprint scanner to identify a suspect through fingerprint matching. It makes field policing more efficient and responsive.

CrPI Application – This system integrates facial recognition, iris matching, and DNA matching capabilities. The multi-modal biometric technology enhances the reliability of identification, reduces manual errors, and makes the process more transparent. Its primary applications include the identification of repeat offenders and CCTV-based suspect identification. So far, 2,190 CrPI units have been distributed and more than 553,000 enrollments have been completed.

e-Forensics 2.0– This platform digitally connects forensic laboratories and investigating agencies across the country. Its key features include case receipt and digital tracking for forensic examination, sample registration, laboratory workflow management, report generation, digital access to reports, and strengthening of the chain of custody.

e-Prosecution 2.0 – This platform establishes digital coordination among the police, prosecution, and judicial processes, ensuring that once an offender is identified, timely prosecution and punishment can also be secured.

What Will These Four Applications Achieve Together?

NAFIS and CrPI identify the offender → CCTNS and Cri-MAC connect and support the investigation → e-Forensics strengthens the evidence → e-Prosecution drives the case towards conviction.

Together, these four applications integrate policing, forensic investigation, prosecution management, and criminal identification into a seamless digital chain of the Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS). They will transform data into informed decision-making and fingerprints into justice.