Objective
The Investigating Officer (IO) shall focus on:
Detection of the offence through professional and scientific investigation.
Recovery and restoration of the stolen vehicle to the rightful owner.
Prompt identification, arrest, and prosecution of the offenders.
Conducting a qualitative and evidence-based investigation.
Key Investigation Objectives
A. Bringing offenders to justice and securing conviction.
B. Recovery and restoration of stolen vehicles.
C. Identifying the modus operandi of offenders and suggesting preventive measures.
D. Strengthening public confidence in law enforcement through prompt recovery and 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.
Record the statement of the complainant/victim in the vernacular language.
II. Immediate Alert and Look-Out Measures
Issue a Look-Out Notice immediately after registration of the case.
Upload vehicle particulars in the prescribed police communication systems.
Flash alerts through:
Police Control Room.
VHF Network.
Patrol Vehicles.
Neighboring Police Stations.
Disseminate complete vehicle particulars including:
Registration Number.
Engine Number.
Chassis Number.
Make and Model.
Colour.
Distinguishing Marks.
III. Scene of Crime Investigation
Visit the scene of occurrence immediately.
Conduct Scene Observation Panchanama.
Prepare Rough Sketch of the scene.
Collect Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude).
Search for and seize any physical evidence available at the scene.
Undertake photography and videography.
Information to be Collected
The IO shall ascertain:
Date and time when the vehicle was parked.
Exact location of parking.
Date and time when theft was noticed.
Whether the vehicle was locked.
Security arrangements available.
Presence of CCTV cameras.
Availability of witnesses.
IV. Collection of Technical Evidence
CCTV Footage
Collect CCTV footage from:
Hotels.
Bars.
Restaurants.
Function halls.
Places of worship.
Shopping centres.
Parking lots.
Parks.
Residential colonies.
Public roads and junctions.
Traffic Surveillance
Examine traffic surveillance systems.
Verify vehicle movement through available traffic monitoring platforms.
Check available electronic records indicating vehicle movement after theft.
V. Vehicle Tracking and Recovery Measures
Upload vehicle details in prescribed Stolen Vehicle Tracking Systems.
Verify records of:
Abandoned vehicles.
Seized vehicles.
Unclaimed vehicles.
Coordinate with neighboring districts and commissionerates.
Verify information received from:
Patrol units.
Traffic units.
Crime teams.
Intelligence units.
VI. Intelligence Collection
The IO shall:
Exchange intelligence with neighboring police stations.
Coordinate with:
Crime Teams.
CCS Units.
Specialized Automobile Theft Units.
Verify:
Recently released convicts.
Undertrial prisoners.
Jail Mulakat records.
Known automobile thieves.
Develop information sources regarding stolen vehicle disposal networks.
VII. Verification of Disposal Channels
The IO shall visit and verify:
Mechanical and Repair Establishments
Vehicle garages.
Mechanical workshops.
Denting and painting shops.
Scrap dealers.
Automobile Dealers
Second-hand vehicle dealers.
Vehicle brokers.
Used vehicle markets.
Financial Institutions
Banks.
Finance companies.
Mortgage agencies.
The purpose is to identify:
Disposal channels.
Receivers of stolen vehicles.
Alteration of vehicle identity.
VIII. Examination of Vehicle Documents
The IO shall verify:
Registration Certificate (RC).
Insurance documents.
Pollution Certificate.
Finance records.
Ownership history.
Transfer records.
Special Attention
Investigate whether:
Registration numbers have been changed.
Engine numbers have been tampered with.
Chassis numbers have been altered.
Fabricated RC Books or forged ownership documents have been created.
IX. Identification and Arrest of Accused
Identify offenders through:
Technical evidence.
CCTV footage.
Witness statements.
Intelligence inputs.
Recovery evidence.
Establish the link between accused and offence through legally admissible evidence.
Arrest Procedure
Arrest the accused in accordance with:
Supreme Court guidelines.
Section 41A CrPC/BNSS provisions.
Other applicable legal requirements.
Conduct arrest without unnecessary delay once involvement is established.
X. Recovery Proceedings
Conduct recovery proceedings in the presence of independent local witnesses.
Avoid use of stock panch witnesses.
Recover:
Stolen vehicles.
Forged documents.
Vehicle components.
Number plates.
Tools used in commission of offence.
Maintain proper chain of custody.
Action Against Receivers
Identify receivers and handlers of stolen vehicles.
Take appropriate legal action against persons knowingly receiving stolen property.
Investigate organized vehicle theft networks where applicable.
XI. Restoration of Property
Ensure early restoration of recovered vehicles to victims through due legal procedure.
Deposit property before Court wherever required.
Obtain appropriate court orders.
Guide complainants regarding release and return procedures.
Preserve necessary documentary evidence before release.
XII. Court Proceedings
The Investigating Officer shall:
Oppose bail where circumstances justify.
File applications for:
Remand extension.
Verification of sureties.
Maintain coordination with the Public Prosecutor.
XIII. Charge Sheet and Final Report
Collect all evidence including:
Witness statements.
CCTV footage.
Recovery evidence.
Documentary evidence.
Technical reports.
Establish:
Theft of vehicle.
Possession by accused.
Recovery circumstances.
Disposal network.
Role of accomplices.
Prepare Draft Charge Sheet.
Obtain opinion from PP/APP.
Submit Charge Sheet/Final Report within the stipulated period.
Responsibility of Investigating Officer
The Investigating Officer shall ensure:
Immediate dissemination of vehicle alerts.
Prompt collection of CCTV and technical evidence.
Close coordination with neighboring districts and specialized units.
Timely recovery and restoration of stolen vehicles.
Proper documentation and lawful investigation.
Effective prosecution resulting in conviction.
Goal
To detect automobile theft cases promptly, recover stolen vehicles at the earliest opportunity, dismantle vehicle theft networks, secure conviction of offenders through scientific and documentary evidence, and restore property to victims through due legal process.