Objective
The Investigating Officers (IOs) shall focus on:
Speedy recovery of stolen property.
Restoration of recovered property to the victim through due legal process.
Conducting a qualitative, professional, and evidence-based investigation leading to successful prosecution and conviction.
I. Registration of FIR and Initial Action
Register the FIR immediately upon receipt of the complaint.
Send copies of the FIR online to all concerned officers without delay.
Hand over a copy of the FIR to the complainant and obtain acknowledgment.
The following statement shall be incorporated in every FIR relating to property offences:
"I can identify the accused if he/she is shown to me."
Flash a VHF message to all concerned Police Units immediately after registration.
II. Scene of Crime Management
Visit the scene of offence immediately.
Conduct Cordon and Search operations in the surrounding area without delay.
Secure the scene and collect all relevant evidence.
Record Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude) of the crime scene.
Conduct Scene Observation Panchanama.
Prepare a Rough Sketch showing:
Place of occurrence.
Direction of movement of accused.
Escape route.
Nearby landmarks and CCTV locations.
III. Examination of Victim and Witnesses
Examine the victim in detail and record:
Description of stolen property.
Value of property.
Description of accused.
Direction of escape.
Mode of operation adopted by accused.
Examine:
Eye-witnesses.
Circumstantial witnesses.
Local residents.
Shopkeepers and security personnel nearby.
Statements shall be recorded in the witness's own handwriting in the vernacular language wherever possible.
Details of witnesses shall be incorporated in the Case Diary Statements (CDS).
IV. Collection of Technical and Physical Evidence
CCTV and Digital Evidence
Collect CCTV footage from:
Residential premises.
Commercial establishments.
Traffic junctions.
Public surveillance systems.
Preserve footage immediately to prevent overwriting.
Obtain and analyze:
Tower Dump Data from probable locations.
Mobile phone analysis.
Call Detail Records (CDRs), wherever necessary.
Identification of Suspects
Obtain suspect descriptions from victims and witnesses.
Prepare Portrait Parle/Sketch through SCRB immediately.
Upload suspect details and photographs to:
Criminal Intelligence System.
Authorized Police databases.
Disseminate suspect information through official channels.
V. Identification of Habitual and MO Criminals
Collect details of known MO (Modus Operandi) criminals involved in:
Chain snatching.
Property offences.
Robbery and theft cases.
Show photo albums of known offenders to the complainant and witnesses.
Coordinate with:
Neighboring Police Stations.
Crime Teams.
CCS Teams.
Exchange intelligence and crime pattern information.
VI. Arrest and Investigation of Accused
Upon detection of the offence and arrest of the accused:
Verify the residential address of the accused personally.
Collect identity proof documents.
Obtain:
Latest photograph.
Fingerprints.
Interrogation Report.
Family Tree.
One-year CDR analysis.
Previous criminal history and involvement.
Examine the accused regarding:
Source of stolen property.
Associates involved.
Disposal of property.
Other connected offences.
VII. Recovery Proceedings
Conduct confession and recovery proceedings strictly in accordance with law.
Recovery Panchanama shall be conducted in the presence of local and independent witnesses instead of stock panch witnesses.
Seize recovered property under proper Panchanama.
Identify receivers and purchasers of stolen property.
Action Against Receivers
Arrest receivers where stolen property is traced to them.
Invoke appropriate legal provisions, including Section 411 IPC/BNS equivalent provisions wherever applicable.
Investigate their involvement in other property offences.
VIII. Court Procedures
The Investigating Officer shall promptly initiate the following legal procedures through the Public Prosecutor (PP)/Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP):
File requisition seeking Police Custody of the accused.
File memo seeking extension of judicial remand where necessary.
File memo seeking verification of sureties.
File memo for conducting Test Identification Parade (TIP).
File memo for issuance of PT Warrant where required.
Take all necessary legal steps to strengthen prosecution.
Additional Legal Provisions
Where facts and evidence justify, additional penal provisions relating to use of criminal force against women during chain snatching incidents shall be examined and invoked as per law.
IX. Property Management
Deposit recovered property before the Court immediately.
Obtain Property Identification (PI) Number from the Court.
Maintain proper documentation of:
Property seizure.
Court deposit.
Chain of custody.
Guide the complainant regarding legal procedures for interim custody/return of property.
X. Prosecution and Charge Sheet
Prepare a Draft Charge Sheet promptly after completion of investigation.
Obtain legal opinion from the PP/APP wherever necessary.
Ensure inclusion of:
Witness statements.
Recovery proceedings.
Technical evidence.
CCTV evidence.
Identification evidence.
Previous criminal history of accused.
Submit Charge Sheet/Final Report within the stipulated time.
Responsibility of Investigating Officer
The Investigating Officer shall ensure:
Immediate response and investigation.
Quick identification and arrest of offenders.
Scientific collection of evidence.
Speedy recovery of stolen property.
Proper restoration of property to victims.
Strong prosecution leading to conviction.
Goal
To detect chain snatching offences promptly, recover stolen property, restore it to the rightful owner, and secure conviction of the accused through professional, evidence-based, and legally sustainable investigation.