Objective
The Investigating Officer (IO) shall focus on:
Speedy recovery of stolen property.
Restoration of property to the victim through due legal process.
Identification and apprehension of offenders.
Conducting a scientific, intelligence-based, and qualitative investigation.
Securing conviction through recovery, identification, and corroborative evidence.
Key Investigation Objectives
A. Recording the statement of the victim and witnesses.
B. Establishing the modus operandi of the offenders.
C. Recovery of stolen property.
D. Identification, arrest, and prosecution of offenders.
E. Restoration of public confidence through prompt investigation.
I. Registration of FIR and Initial Action
Register the FIR promptly under the appropriate provisions of law.
Send copies of the FIR online to all concerned officers.
Hand over a copy of the FIR to the complainant and obtain acknowledgment.
Mandatory Statement
The following statement shall be incorporated in all property offence cases:
"I can identify the accused if he/she is shown to me."
Flash a VHF message to all police units immediately after registration of the case.
II. Immediate Scene Response
Visit the scene of occurrence forthwith.
Conduct immediate Cordon and Search operations.
Search probable escape routes and shelter locations including:
Lodges.
Railway Stations.
Bus Stations.
Airports.
Private Bus Addas.
Public Transport Terminals.
Collect Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude) of the crime scene.
Conduct Scene Observation Panchanama and prepare Rough Sketch wherever necessary.
III. Examination of Victim and Witnesses
Record detailed statement of the victim.
Ascertain:
Sequence of events.
Number of offenders.
Method used to divert attention.
Property stolen.
Time and place of occurrence.
Examine:
Eye witnesses.
Circumstantial witnesses.
Nearby shopkeepers.
Security personnel.
Other relevant witnesses.
Record witness statements in vernacular language and in their own words.
IV. Collection of Descriptive Particulars
The IO shall collect detailed descriptions of suspects including:
Language spoken.
Local dialect or accent.
Physical build.
Height and complexion.
Clothing and appearance.
Distinguishing marks.
Behavioural traits.
Vehicle used.
Mobile phones used.
Direction of movement.
These particulars shall be incorporated in the Case Diary and investigation records.
V. CCTV and Technical Evidence
Collect CCTV footage from:
Community surveillance cameras.
Commercial establishments.
Banks and ATMs.
Traffic junctions.
Public places.
Transportation hubs.
Preserve footage immediately.
Analyze:
Entry and exit routes.
Vehicle movement.
Presence of accomplices.
Modus operandi.
Mobile and Technical Analysis
Collect Tower Dump data from probable locations.
Analyze:
Mobile activity.
Common numbers.
Suspect movement patterns.
Correlate technical evidence with witness statements and CCTV footage.
VI. Modus Operandi (MO) Analysis
The IO shall:
Analyze the method adopted by offenders.
Compare with similar offences reported in:
Local Police Stations.
Neighboring Districts.
Crime Records.
Study known criminal gangs operating through attention diversion techniques.
Compare:
CCTV footage.
Language and dialect.
Physical appearance.
Vehicle details.
Mobile usage patterns.
Modus operandi.
VII. Identification of Suspects
Prepare Portrait Parle/Sketch through SCRB immediately where required.
Upload suspect details to:
Criminal Intelligence System.
Authorized Police Networks.
Circulate information among:
Crime Teams.
CCS Units.
Neighboring Police Stations.
Show photographs and albums of:
Known MO Criminals.
Habitual offenders.
Suspected persons.
Arrested accused.
VIII. Intelligence Collection
The IO shall:
Coordinate with:
Crime Teams.
CCS Teams.
Neighboring Police Units.
Exchange intelligence regarding:
Similar offences.
Known gangs.
Habitual offenders.
Verify:
Previous criminal records.
History sheets.
Inter-district involvement.
Develop local intelligence regarding receivers and disposal channels of stolen property.
IX. Arrest of Accused
Upon establishing involvement:
Arrest the accused in accordance with:
Section 41A CrPC/BNSS provisions.
Supreme Court guidelines.
Other applicable legal safeguards.
Verification of Identity
The IO shall:
Personally verify the address of the accused.
Collect:
Identity Proofs.
Address Proofs.
Photographs.
Contact the concerned Police Station/SHO to:
Verify address.
Verify criminal history.
Obtain previous records.
X. Collection of Criminal Background
The IO shall collect:
Latest Photograph.
Fingerprints.
Interrogation Report.
Family Tree.
Call Detail Records (CDR).
Previous involvement in criminal cases.
History Sheet details, if any.
All records shall be maintained in the case file and crime database.
XI. Recovery Proceedings
Conduct recovery proceedings before independent local witnesses.
Avoid use of stock panch witnesses.
Recover:
Stolen property.
Vehicles used.
Mobile phones.
Other incriminating articles.
Receivers of Stolen Property
Identify persons receiving or dealing with stolen property.
Take appropriate legal action against receivers.
Investigate disposal channels and accomplices.
XII. Court Proceedings
The Investigating Officer shall:
File requisition for Police Custody where required.
Seek:
Remand Extension.
Verification of Sureties.
Test Identification Parade (TIP).
PT Warrants, wherever necessary.
Maintain liaison with the Public Prosecutor throughout investigation and trial.
XIII. Property Management
Deposit recovered property before Court.
Obtain Property Identification (PI) Number.
Maintain chain of custody.
Guide the complainant regarding legal procedures for return of property.
XIV. Charge Sheet and Final Report
Prepare Draft Charge Sheet after completion of investigation.
Obtain opinion of PP/APP.
Clearly establish:
Identity of accused.
Modus operandi.
Recovery of property.
Witness identification.
Technical evidence.
Criminal antecedents.
Submit Charge Sheet/Final Report within the stipulated period.
Responsibility of Investigating Officer
The Investigating Officer shall ensure:
Immediate response and search operations.
Collection of CCTV and technical evidence.
Detailed MO analysis.
Effective coordination with neighboring units.
Proper verification of accused and criminal history.
Timely recovery and restoration of property.
Strong prosecution supported by scientific and documentary evidence.
Goal
To detect attention diversion offences through scientific investigation, recover stolen property, identify and prosecute offenders, dismantle organized criminal networks involved in such crimes, and restore confidence among victims and the public.