Examine Possibility Of Creating A Ballistic Database: High Court Tells Delhi Police

The Delhi High Court has told the Delhi Police to examine the possibility of creating a ballistic database, storing reports of all firearms for which licenses are issued or endorsed to public, which may be accessed in case of an investigation.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva asked the Committee appointed by the Police Commissioner to also consult the technical experts of CFSL with regards to the same.

"The Committee appointed by the Police Commissioner referred to above, may also examine the possibility of creation of a Ballistic Database, where ballistic reports of all firearms, in respect of which licences are issued or which are endorsed on the licences issued to public, can be stored so that said database can be accessed in case of an investigation," the Court ordered.

The development came in during hearing of a bail application filed in the year 2018 in relation to an FIR which was registered under sec. 25 of the Arms Act.

It was observed that in the said FIR as well as from other cases which came up before the Court that whenever any weapon is recovered, no finger prints are taken from the weapon or the bullets or rounds or shells that are found in the weapon.

The Court was then informed that there was no specific procedure laid down whereby directions are issued to the Investigating Officers or other police officers to take finger prints from a weapon or the bullets or rounds or shells which are recovered from crime scenes or from possession of the accused.

During the recent course of hearing on January 10, the DCP (legal) of Delhi Police apprised the Court that the issue of installation of GPS devices in licensed weapons was being examined by a Committee appointed by the Commissioner of Police.

He also submitted that the said Committee was of the view that owing to the technical, financial and privacy concerns, the same may not be a feasible option.

While calling for a fresh status report to be filed before the next date of hearing, the Court listed the matter for directions on April 8, 2022.

Case Title: SOURABH MAGOO @ SUNNY v. STATE ( GNCT OF DELHI)

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